Present Formic acid fuel cell efficiency is limited by low kinetics at the anode indicating the need for effective catalysts to improve the formic acid oxidation. As a prerequisite, the nature of adsorbed species and specifically the reaction intermediates formed in this process were examined by combination of electrochemistry and in situ Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The platinum was deposited spontaneously on gold surface (Pt@Au). This Pt/Au surface assists in oxidizing formic acid at potentials as low as 0.2 V vs. Ag/Ag/Cl as compared to that on plain gold ca. 1.0 V. Also, the oxidation currents obtained on Pt@Au electrode is higher than that on bare Pt surface and 200 times higher than that on bare Au surface. The electrochemical results affirm the enhanced catalytic activity of Pt@Au for formic acid oxidation. Furthermore, formate was observed as an intermediate in the oxidation process on Pt@Au by SERS. This formate peak which appears at 300 cm-1 shows a characteristic stark effect. A unique relationship has been observed between the formic acid oxidation currents and the relative SERS intensity of this formate adsorbate on Pt@Au.

Electrooxidation of formic acid on Pt-modified Au surface probed by in situ SERS with potential control

244th National Meeting (2012)

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