Synthesis of spherical porous Pd nanoparticle superstructure and its catalytic oxidation of formic acid

Abstract

Spherical porous Pd nanoparticle superstructures with the diameter in the range of 30-50 nm were obtained by the reaction of PdCl₄^2- with hydrazine using hexadecylpyridinium chloride as a structure-directing agent in the mixed acetone/water solution. It was found that hexadecylpyridinium chloride had significant influence on the formation of the spherical porous Pd nanoparticle superstructure. Only solid spherical structure was formed in the absence of the surfactant. In addition, acetone had an effect on the size of the micelles modified. The electrocatalytic activity of the spherical porous Pd nanoparticle superstructure electrode for the formic acid oxidation in 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄+0.5 mol/L HCOOH was also investigated. The results displayed that electrocatalytic activity and stability of the spherical porous Pd nanoparticle superstructure catalyst were better than that of the solid Pd catalyst.