On adsorption and electro-oxidation of some compounds on tungsten carbide; their effect on hydrogen electro-oxidation

Adsorption and electro-oxidation of carbon monoxide, ethylene, acetylene, and hydrogen sulphide on tungsten carbide, in solutions of these compounds in 1 N H₂SO₄, have been investigated. It was found that CO, C₂H₄, and C₂H₂ do not undergo adsorption and oxidation and do not affect adsorption and electro-oxidation of hydrogen. H₂S does not oxidise as well, and it does not displace adsorbed hydrogen in any measurable amounts, though it does inhibit electro-oxidation of molecular hydrogen. Methanol is inert on tungsten carbide like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Electro-oxidation of formaldehyde and formic acid proceeds without apparent WC-surface coverage by the adsorbed compound.