The electro-oxidation of glucose using platinum-palladium bulk alloy single crystals

A series of chiral and achiral Pt-Pd bulk single crystal electrodes have been prepared using the method of Clavilier. Subsequent characterisation of the surface composition and structure of the electrodes using CV, LEED and AES indicate that all surfaces are well-defined and give rise to good (1×1) surface long range order. The CV profile of the Pt-Pd bulk alloy surfaces are compared with those associated with irreversibly adsorbed palladium adlayers on single crystal Pt electrodes. Using the electro-oxidation of D- and L-glucose as chiral probe reactions, the inherent surface chirality of the Pt-Pd bulk single crystal surfaces is highlighted. As such, these results represent the first report of a bi-metallic chiral metal surface.