The effect of the alkali metal cation on the electrocatalytic oxidation of formate on platinum

Non-covalent interactions between hydrated alkali metal cations and adsorbed oxygenated species on platinum might considerably inhibit some electrocatalytic reactions. We report in this communication the effect exerted by electrolyte alkali metal cations on the electro-oxidation of formate ions on platinum. The system was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in the presence of an electrolyte containing Li+, Na+, or K+. As already observed for other systems, the general activity towards the electro-oxidation of formate ions was found to increase in the sequence Li+ < Na+ < K+. In addition, we observed that the inhibition caused by smaller cations has a peculiar potential dependence because of the multi-peaked current profile of the electro-oxidation of formate on platinum. In this respect, we have also identified a new effect caused by cation inhibition at intermediate potentials, namely a peak splitting towards the use of smaller cations. Results are discussed in connection with mechanistic aspects of this model system.