In this work, bimetallic Cu/Pd particles were deposited at the surface of carbon nanotube paste electrode (CNTPE) by partial galvanic replacement process. At first, the Cu film was prepared by electrochemical reduction of Cu2+ ions on the CNTPE in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution. Then, Cu/Pd catalyst was prepared by partial galvanic replacement of Cu0 metal with PdII ions by simple immersion of the Cu film modified electrode in 2.0 mM PdCl2 + 1.0 M HCl solution under open circuit condition. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the nature and surface morphology of the modified electrodes. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was also used to characterize the presence of the bimetallic Cu/Pd particles at the electrode surface. Electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode towards formaldehyde oxidation has been investigated by electrochemical methods. Formaldehyde electrooxidation at the Cu/Pd modified CNTPE was improved and its onset oxidation potential was shifted to more negative direction than that the Cu/Pd modified CPE. The influence of various parameters such as Cu2+ concentration, galvanic replacement time, switching potential and potential scan rates have been investigated.
