Formation of porous Pd black induced by in situ catalytic reaction

The in situ heterogeneous catalytic reaction of formic acid decomposition was applied as a ‘reaction template’ in the synthesis of porous Pd black. The obtained porous Pd black was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, electrochemical measurements and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the porous Pd black had a high electrochemical active surface area of about 40:2 m 2 g 1 and a clean surface. It could be used directly as a catalyst in many fields such as fuel cells. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)