Electrodes consisting of Pt nanoparticles dispersed on thin films of niobium oxide were prepared onto titanium substrates by a sol-gel method. The physical characterization of these electrodes was carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The mean size of the Pt particles was found to be 10.7 nm. The general aspects of the electrochemical behavior were studied by cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L -1 HClO 4 aqueous solution. The response of these electrodes in relation to the oxidation of formaldehyde and methanol in acidic media was also studied.

Electrodes consisting of Pt nanoparticles dispersed on thin films of niobium oxide were preparedonto titanium substrates by a sol-gel method. The physical characterization of these electrodes was carriedout by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The meansize of the Pt particles was found to be 10.7 nm. The general aspects of the electrochemical behavior werestudied by cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L -1 HClO 4 aqueous solution. The response of these electrodes inrelation to the oxidation of formaldehyde and methanol in acidic media was also studied.