The electrochemical oxidation of various polyhydric alcohols, ethylene glycol, glycerol, meso-erythoritol, and xylitol, on a platinum electrode was investigated systemematically in acidic H2SO4, and in alkaline KOH and K2CO3 solutions to evaluate the potential of these polyhydric alcohols as fuels in micro-fuel cells for portable electronic devices. All polyhydric alcohols tested in the present study showed high reactivities in both alkaline solutions. Ethylene glycol showed the highest reactivity. Although the reactivity of ethylene glycol was lower in K2CO3 than in KOH, the carbonate solution is a potential candidate as an electrolyte solution due to its resistance to solution carbonation. Furthermore, ethylene glycol showed much less significant electrode poisoning by adsorbed CO upon oxidation in alkaline solution.
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Matsuoka et al. (2002) studied this question.
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