Iron(ii) tetrakis(diaquaplatinum)octacarboxyphthalocyanine supported on multi-walled carbon nanotube platform: An efficient functional material for enhancing electron transfer kinetics and electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid

A novel platinum-based macrocycle, iron(ii) tetrakis(diaquaplatinum) octacarboxyphthalocyanine (PtFeOCPc), was synthesised and characterised. The heterogeneous electron transfer and electrocatalytic properties of this functional material towards the oxidation of formic acid have been explored on a graphite electrode platform pre-modified with or without acid-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). We prove that PtFeOCPc supported on a MWCNT platform (MWCNT-PtFeOCPc) exhibits enhanced electrochemical response in terms of (i) electron transfer towards outer-sphere redox probe, (ii) catalytic rate constant, and (iii) tolerance towards CO poisoning during formic acid oxidation. The results clearly suggest that the MWCNT-PtFeOCPc is a promising platform for potential application as an electrocatalyst for direct formic acid fuel cell.