Effect of metal catalysis in the electrochemical oxidation of petrol on platinum electrodes and its use in petrol brand fingerprinting

•Metal content in TBAP acted as a catalyst to favour petrol electrochemistry.•The metals identified as catalytic were Calcium, Iron and Manganese.•The electrochemical profiles were used to discriminate different brands of petrol.•A model solution of Fe+3 and petrol can replicate this behaviour.•The electrochemical response of petrol was observed as a diffusion–controlled process.