Constant Current Transition Time Investigations of the Electrochemical Oxidation of Formate‐Formic Acid at a Smooth Platinum Electrode

Transition times have been measured for various current densities on a smooth platinum electrode in aqueous formate solutions in the pH range 0–14 at 25°C. In strongly basic solutions there is no evidence for the supply of formate to the electrode during the current pulse. Results obtained in acidic and strongly buffered solutions to pH 10 indicate the presence of a slow preelectrochemical reaction. The electrochemical oxidation and the decomposition of formic acid share in part a common mechanistic path.