PdRu Nanoparticles Supported on Functionalized Titanium Carbide—a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Formic Acid Electro-Oxidation

In this study, a simple strategy for the synthesis of PdRu nanoparticles, supported on titanium carbide functionalized by amino-rich cationic polymer (diallyldimethylammonium chloride), were prepared. The catalysts were prepared by co-reduction of Ru and Pd ions, using sodium borohydride and trisodium citrate as the reducing and stabilizing reagents, respectively. In order to discuss its physical properties, the as-synthesized catalysts were characterized and discerned by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Moreover, cyclic voltammogram, Chronomperometry and CO stripping tests were used to characterize catalytic activity of the catalysts for the electrooxidation of formic acid. The results displayed that PdRu nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the TiC(P), and average particle sizes of the catalysts were 3.0 ± 0.5 nm. Electrochemical performance tests demonstrated that PdRu/TiC(P) catalysts have higher electrochemical activity and stability towards formic acid oxidation compared with the Pd/TiC(P) and Pd/C. Meanwhile, the catalytic performance was the best when the atom ratio of Pd and Ru is 3 : 1. The superior performance of catalysts may be attributed to the metal-support interaction and electronic synergistic effect between Pd and Ru.