Abstract
In recent years, research efforts have focused on the development of safe and efficient H2 generation/storage materials toward a fuel-cell-based H2 economy as a long-term solution in the near future. Herein, we report the development of Pd nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) via sol-immobilisation and impregnation techniques. Thorough characterisation has been carried out by means of XRD, XPS, SEM-EDX, TEM, and BET. The catalysts have been evaluated for the catalytic decomposition of formic acid (HCOOH), which has been identified as a safe and convenient H2 carrier under mild conditions. The influence of preparation method was investigated and catalysts prepared by the sol-immobilisation method showed higher catalytic performance (PdSI/CNF) than their analogues prepared by the impregnation method (PdIMP/CNF). A high turnover frequency (TOF) of 979 h−1 for PdSI/CNF and high selectivity (>99.99%) was obtained at 30 °C for the additive-free formic acid decomposition. Comparison with a Pd/AC (activated charcoal) catalyst synthesised with sol-immobilisation method using as a support activated charcoal (AC) showed an increase of catalytic activity by a factor of four, demonstrating the improved performance by choosing CNFs as the preferred choice of support for the deposition of preformed colloidal Pd nanoparticles.
Highlights
Alternative energy sources have been considered to solve the increasing energy demand without further damage to the environment
Monometallic nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibersunder (CNFs) synthesised Soland hydrogen storage PdCl4 ·2 H2 O (Pd) chemical for the production of hydrogen mild the catalytic performance was evaluated for the formic acid decomposition in liquid phase as model immobilisation and impregnation techniques were selected as model preparation methods for the hydrogenand storage chemical for the production of hydrogen under mild conditions
Monometallic Pd nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesised and the catalytic performance was evaluated for the formic acid decomposition in liquid phase as model hydrogen storage chemical for the production of hydrogen under mild conditions
Summary
Alternative energy sources have been considered to solve the increasing energy demand without further damage to the environment. Hydrogen is considered as one of the most promising energy sources in the near future. It is a versatile fuel since conversion to electricity or heat is likely through electrochemical and catalytic processes [1]. The general utilisation for realising a hydrogen-powered society is limited due to technical obstacles for controlling in a facile way the storage and release of hydrogen. Either physical or chemical storage of hydrogen are considered as alternative solutions. Physical storage of hydrogen has been widely investigated. In this approach, hydrogen is adsorbed into a porous
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