Enhancement of Oxidation of Formic Acid in Acid Medium on Zirconia-Supported Phosphotungstate-Decorated Noble Metal (Pd, Pt) Nanoparticles

Palladium and platinum nanoparticles have been modified at sub-monolayer level with Keggin-type phosphododecatungstate (by spontaneous adsorption of H3PW12O40) and considered as catalysts for the electrooxidation of formic acid in sulfuric acid electrolyte. The presence of phosphotungstate adsorbates has been confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (by reflectance). The enhancement effect (described in terms of the oxidation current increases) is even more pronounced when the catalytic centres have been supported on nanostructured ZrO2. In the case of Pd catalysts, a large population of hydroxyl groups and a high mobility of interfacial protons (on zirconia) seem to favour the direct oxidation path to CO2, whereas in the case of Pt-based systems, the enhancement effect is related to the oxidative removal of otherwise passivating CO adsorbates (indirect oxidation path). The role of polytungstate adsorbates on Pd or Pt nanoparticles relates to their ability to interact competitively with the CO adsorbates at noble metal catalytic sites (‘third-body’ effect).

Improving the catalytic activity of Au/Pd core–shell nanoparticles with a tailored Pd structure for formic acid oxidation reaction

Unique morphology-tunable Au/Pd core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by galvanic replacement of Cu on hollow Au cores using PdCl₂ to enhance the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid.

Improved hydrogen production from formic acid under ambient conditions using a PdAu catalyst on a graphene nanosheets–carbon black support

Well-dispersed PdAu nanoparticles grown on graphene nanosheets–carbon black support are synthesizedviaa facile co-reduction method. The as-prepared catalyst manifests high activity in formic acid decomposition at room temperature.