Electrocatalysis by nanoparticles: Oxidation of formic acid at manganese oxide nanorods-modified Pt planar and nanohole-arrays

The electro-oxidation of formic acid (an essential reaction in direct formic acid fuel cells) is a challenging process because of the deactivation of anodes by the adsorption of the poisoning intermediate carbon monoxide (CO). Pt electrodes in two geometries (planar and nanohole-array) were modified by the electrodeposition of manganese oxide nanorods (nano-MnOx). The modified Pt electrodes were then tested for their electrocatalytic activity through the electro-oxidation of formic acid in a solution of pH 3.45. Two oxidation peaks (Ipd and Ipind) were observed at 0.2 and 0.55 V, respectively; these were assigned to the direct and indirect oxidative pathways. A significant enhancement of the direct oxidation of formic acid to CO2 was observed at the modified electrodes, while the formation of the poisoning intermediate CO was suppressed.