Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles modified with PPy-HEImTfa for electrooxidation of formaldehyde

A facile approach to improve the electrocatalytic properties of Pt nanoparticles (nm-Pts) has been developed. nm-Pts are deposited on substrate electrode Pt sheet using cyclic voltammetry in sulfuric acid containing H2PtCl6 to get nm-Pt electrode, and then are modified with polypyrrole in an ionic liquid 1-ethylimidazolium trifluoroacetate (PPy-HEImTfa) to obtain the electrode PPy-HEImTfa/nm-Pt. The electrocatalytic performance of PPy-HEImTfa/nm-Pt towards the oxidation of formaldehyde in acidic solution has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Results show that PPy-HEImTfa/nm-Pt exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and stability, as compared with nm-Pt electrode or PPy-HEImTfa modified with nm-Pts (nm-Pt/PPy-HEImTfa) under the similar preparation conditions. In situ FTIR spectroscopic measurements confirm that PPy-HEImTfa film on the surface of nm-Pts help to catalyze the oxidation of the adsorbed CO and reduced the poisoning effect of CO on nm-Pt catalyst.

► Pt nanoparticles are modified with polypyrrole in 1-ethylimidazolium trifluoroacetate.
► The electrocatalytic activity towards formaldehyde oxidation is improved.
► The poisoning effect of CO on the electrode is reduced.
► Cyclic voltammetry and in situ FTIR spectroscopy are used.