Efficient synthesis of ultrafine Pd nanoparticles on an activated N-doping carbon for the decomposition of formic acid

Abstract Palladium nanoparticles (1.88 nm) uniformly dispersed on a porous N-doped “leavening” carbon (Pd/NHPC-AC) have been successfully developed, which can be served as a highly active and stable catalyst for the selective decomposition of formic acid under mild conditions. The Pd/NHPC-AC catalyst exhibits enhanced activity for H 2 production (TOF = 4115 h − 1 at 60 °C) without CO in comparison with Pd/HPC-AC (without nitrogen doping) and Pd/AC under the same reaction conditions. The doping of nitrogen could prevent the Pd nanoparticles from aggregation and leaching from the support surface and therefore improving the reusability of the catalyst.