Strategies for the study of methanol electrochemical conversion to formaldehyde over bulk metal and supported catalysts

An approach for the determination of formaldehyde produced during the electrochemical oxidation of methanol over fuel cell catalyst materials is described. Sample electrolysis is conducted in a small volume (0.050 mL) cavity machined into a Macor glass ceramic disk. The working electrode is positioned adjacent to the cavity in a manner that entraps solution. The cavity is equipped with a port that enables sample to be injected and removed. The arrangement is presented in studies of methanol oxidation over bulk and nanoscale PtRu fuel cell catalyst materials. A fluorescence assay is employed to determine formaldehyde in these experiments with a detection limit down to 100 nM. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 230th ACS National Meeting (Washington, DC 8/28/2005-9/1/2005).