AS REAÇÕES DE ELETRO-OXIDAÇÃO DE ÁLCOOIS COMO UM MODELO PARA A ILUSTRAÇÃO DOS FUNDAMENTOS DA ELETROCATÁLISE

THE ELECTRO-OXIDATION REACTIONS OF ALCOHOLS AS A MODEL FOR ILLUSTRATING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTROCATALYSIS. This work uses the electro-oxidation of alcohols, particularly ethanol, as a framework to discuss fundamental principles of electrochemistry and electrocatalysis, emphasizing their relevance to the energy transition and to the development of cleaner and more efficient power sources, such as fuel cells. From basic laboratory electrochemical systems to more advanced technological devices, the discussion underscores the central role of electrocatalytic surfaces at different levels of structural complexity, highlighting the ways in which surface structure and chemical composition govern catalytic performance. Overall, we show that the electro-oxidation of small organic molecules and their derived technologies hold significant promise for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, achieving full technological viability requires a deeper molecular-level understanding and the continued development of more efficient, selective, and durable electrocatalysts.