A combination of SERS and electrochemistry in Pt nanoparticle electrocatalysis: Promotion of formic acid oxidation by ethylidyne

In this paper, formic acid electrooxidation on ethylidyne modified Pt nanoparticles is reported. The formation as well as the stability electrochemical range of the ethylidyne adlayers was studied by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and cyclic voltammetry. The presence of adsorbed ethylidyne on platinum nanoparticles improved their electrocatalytic activity towards formic acid oxidation, which could be attributed to an instabilization of the carbon monoxide poisonous species as evidenced by SERS. The use of in situ spectroscopic measurements with electrocatalysts similar to those applied in practice is highlighted.