Formaldehyde burst surprises reaction spectators

In operando imaging of self-catalysed formaldehyde burst in a methanol oxidation reaction

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Surface plasmon resonance imaging reveals unexpected self-catalysis behaviour of formaldehyde on a platinum catalyst

Researchers in China have successfully used in operando imaging to watch a methanol oxidation reaction. The experiment led them to uncover an unexpected mechanism through which the reaction generates the unwanted byproduct formaldehyde that could help scientists design more efficient fuel cells.