Tracking methanol oxidation reaction from OH* as guiding agent

The oxidation reaction of methanol (MOR) involves complex intermediate processes, making it difficult to pinpoint the key steps controlling the reaction rate. Although current mechanistic studies encompass various aspects of the MOR process, the lack of an overall consideration of the entire MOR process hinders the effective guidance of catalyst design. In this regard, based on the functional reaction mechanism between OH* and carbon intermediates, we have discovered that OH* as a guiding agent track the oxidation of methanol on the catalyst surface during the MOR process in the alkaline environment. Inspired by the perspective, we rationally design the electrocatalyst (Pt-Cu alloy). Experimental result and density functional theory (DFT) validation revealed that Pt-Cu alloy had strong capabilities for carbon intermediate conversion, meanwhile it possessed lower OH* coverage within a wider potential range. This work makes the MOR process more concrete and coherent transport-conversion mechanism in front of researchers.