Palladium-polypyrrole composites as prospective catalyst for formaldehyde electrooxidation in alkaline solutions

Abstract Palladium-polypyrrole (Pd-PPy) composites synthesized via one-step and one-pot redox procedure have been tested as electrocatalysts for formaldehyde oxidation in aqueous solution under both inert and oxygen atmospheres. It has clearly been shown that inert electrode coated by the Pd-PPy composites demonstrates a high catalytic activity. Electrochemical response of Pd-PPy modified electrodes depends on the anodic potential range, pH and concentration of formaldehyde in solution as well as on the presence of oxygen in reaction atmosphere. It has been found that Pd-PPy composites are prospective materials for amperometric detection of formaldehyde in aqueous solution, even under oxygen atmosphere, as well as in the presence of methanol or/and formate-anion.