Poly 1,5 diaminonaphthalene supported Pt, Pd, Pt/Pd and Pd/Pt nanoparticles for direct formic acid oxidation

Comparative studies were carried out on the direct electrooxidation of formic acid at palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), Pt/Pd and Pd/Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on poly 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (PDAN)-modified glassy carbon electrode. Metal electro-deposition was carried out using potentiodynamic technique. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) have been used to investigate the electrochemical behavior, surface morphology and chemical composition of the studied electrodes. Electrodes electroactive surface area has been determined by electrooxidation of pre-adsorbed CO monolayer using the coupling of the dual thin layer flow through cell with mass spectrometer. Electrooxidation of formic acid (FA) at different modified electrodes have been studied using the differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) protocol and the current efficiencies with respect to CO2 evolution were calculated. NPs incorporated PDAN polymer films improved the electrocatalytic efficiency towards the electrooxidation of FA. Among the studied electrodes, Pt/Pd/PDAN/GC shows the best metal dispersion and highest electrocatalytic activity towards formic acid oxidation (FAO).