Potential oscillations in galvanostatic electrooxidation of formic acid on platinum: a mathematical modeling and simulation

We have modeled temporal potential oscillations during the electrooxidation of formic acid on platinum on the basis of the experimental results obtained by time-resolved surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (J. Phys. Chem. B 2005, 109, 23509). The model was constructed within the framework of the so-called dual-path mechanism; a direct path via a reactive intermediate and an indirect path via strongly bonded CO formed by dehydration of formic acid. The model differs from earlier ones in the intermediate in the direct path. The reactive intermediate in this model is formate, and the oxidation of formate to CO2 is rate-determining. The reaction rate of the latter process is represented by a second-order rate equation. Simulations using this model well reproduce the experimentally observed oscillation patterns and the temporal changes in the coverages of the adsorbed formate and CO. Most properties of the voltammetric behavior of formic acid, including the potential dependence of adsorbate coverages and a negative differential resistance, are also reproduced.