PVF-PPy Composite as Support Material for Facile Synthesis of Pt@PVF-PPy Catalyst and Its Electrocatalytic Activity Towards Formic Acid Oxidation

Preparation and characterization of a Pt-based catalyst supported on poly(vinylferrocenium)-poly(pyyrole) conducting polymer composite (Pt@PVF-PPy) was described for electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid. Pt precursor was aqueous solution of K2PtCl4 and electrochemical and chemical reduction methods were compared for optimum catalyst performance. Other experimental parameters such as polymer film thickness and Pt loading were also optimized with respect to the formic acid oxidation peak current values. Scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods were used for physical and electrochemical characterization of the catalyst system. When compared with similar Pt-based conducting polymer supported catalyst systems, the Pt@PVF-PPy catalyst revealed superior performance for formic acid electrooxidation.