Pd/C nanocatalyst with high turnover frequency for hydrogen generation from the formic acid–formate mixtures

Pd/C nanocatalyst with high turnover frequency (TOF) for hydrogen generation from the formic acid (FA)–sodium formate (SF) mixtures was prepared via an ex situ reduction of PdCl2 used formate in the presence of citric acid. The morphology and property of the Pd/C catalyst before and after decomposition of FA–SF mixture were characterised using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Over this Pd/C catalyst, a TOF of 228.3 h−1 was observed for a FA–SF mixture with a FA/SF ratio of 1:9. The observed TOF was the highest ever reported for heterogeneous Pd/C catalysts. The deactivation of the Pd/C catalyst was attributed to desorption of citric acid, reduction of PdII content and adsorption of CO. Washing and drying could partially recover the activity of the Pd/C catalyst.