The kinetics and mechanism of formic acid sonochemical degradation were studied at ultrasonic frequencies of 20, 200, and 607 kHz under argon atmosphere. Total yield of HCOOH sonochemical degradation increases approximately 6-8-fold when the frequency increased from 20 to 200 or to 607 kHz. At low ultrasonic frequencies, HCOOH degradation has been attributed to oxidation with OH(•) radicals from water sonolysis and to the HCOOH decarboxylation occurring at the cavitation bubble-liquid interface. With high-frequency ultrasound, the sonochemical reaction is also influenced by HCOOH dehydration. Whatever the ultrasonic frequency, the sonolysis of HCOOH yielded H(2) and CO(2) in the gas phase as well as trace amounts of oxalic acid and formaldehyde in the liquid phase. However, CO and CH(4) formations were only detected under high-frequency ultrasound. The most striking difference between low-frequency and high-frequency ultrasound is that the sonolysis of HCOOH at high ultrasonic frequencies initiates Fischer-Tropsch hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.

Sonochemical synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) in formic acid solutions and pure water was investigated using a 20 kHz ultrasonic irradiation. The obtained results gave new insights on the underneath Pt(IV)  reduction mechanism in formic acid media under argon and in pure water under Ar/CO atmosphere. It was shown that in pure water sonochemical reduction of platinum ions occurs by hydrogen issued from homolytic water molecule split. Pt(IV) ion reduction appears to be a very slow process under argon atmosphere in pure water due to formation of oxidizing species like OH radicals and H(2)O(2) leading to reoxidation of intermediate Pt(II)  ions. Sonochemical reduction is accelerated manifold in the presence of formic acid or Ar/CO gas mixture. Solution and gas-phase analyses reveal that both CO and HCOOH act as OH(.) radical scavenger and reducing agent under ultrasonic irradiation. Their ability to reduce platinum ions at room temperature is enhanced due to the local heating in the liquid shell surround the cavitation bubble. An innovative synthesis route for monodispersed Pt NPs in pure water without any templates or capping agents in the presence of Ar/CO gas mixture is then proposed. Obtained Pt NPs within the range of 2-3 nm exhibited a strong stability towards sedimentation in water. Since Ar/CO atmosphere is the only restriction of the process, this procedure can be applied in various media and is also compatible with a large array of experimental conditions.