Electrochemical oxidation of formaldehyde on gold and silver

Abstract The electrochemical oxidation of formaldehyde has been studied by cyclic voltammetry on gold and silver rotating disc electrodes varying the sweep rate, the angular velocity, formaldehyde concentration and pH of the supporting electrolyte. The Tafel parameters and reaction orders as well as the rate constants have been determined. A reaction path is proposed which involves the release and oxidation of the first hydrogen atom under an interaction of formaldehyde molecule with the metal surface and with the OH − -ion, followed by a non-electrochemical reaction or a second charge transfer reaction, depending upon the electrode potential.