Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Formaldehyde on Copper Oxide Nano-crystalline Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

This research found a cheap and efficient catalyst for electrooxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO). A CuO nano‐crystalline modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and had an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of HCHO. Both the effect of potential scan rate and the effect of HCHO concentration on the electrocatalytic oxidation performance of the electrode were investigated. The amperometric current response of the electrode was proportional to HCHO concentration in the range of 1.0 µmol·L−1–10.0 mmol·L−1 with a detection limit (s/n=3) of 0.25 µmol·L−1. The electrode was stable, showing the CuO nano‐crystlline is promising for applications in fuel cells and electrochemical sensors. A CuO nano‐crystalline modified glassy carbon electrode has been fabricated, which gives the redox couple of Cu(II)/Cu(III) at Em of 0.50 V (SCE) in NaOH solution. This redox step can catalyze the oxidation of formaldehyde very efficiently.