Influences of aniline, carbazole, indole, and pyrrole monomers and polymers on formic acid oxidation at Pt electrodes

- Adsorbed monomers and their polymers can have different influences on formic acid oxidation at Pt electrodes.
- Pyrrole and indole inhibit formic acid oxidation at Pt while polypyrrole and polyindole activate the electrode.
- Aniline and carbazole can activate Pt for formic acid oxidation as both adsorbed monomers and polymers.
- It is suggested that the orientation of the modifier as well as its hydrophobicity are key elements in determining its influence on formic acid oxidation.