Porous carbon supported Pd as catalysts for boosting formic acid dehydrogenation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-07, Vol.45 (35), p.17398-17409
• Main Authors: Yao, Mengqin, Ye, Yuling, Chen, Honglin, Zhang, Xiaoming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic nanoparticles; Formic acid; Hydrogen production; N-rich porous carbon; ZIFs-derivative
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.04.206

The design of efficient catalysts is the essential to realize formic acid (FA) as a hydrogen carrier. However, it remains a challenging task. Herein, the porous carbon was prepared using ZnCo-containing zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) as a precursor, which supported Pd as an effective catalyst for FA dehydrogenation. Porous carbon containing Co and N was synthesized by one-step method, and the Co and N promoted the activity of Pd by modifying its electron state. The catalytic performance was further improved by doping Zn into the predesigned bimetallic ZnCo-ZIFs. The addition of Zn increased the dispersion of PdCo nanoparticles, N content and specific surface area of the catalysts. When Zn/Co molar ratio was 2, the prepared catalyst (Pd/Co@CN-2) with an average diameter of PdCo about 2.6 nm exhibited the best catalytic activity, showing an initial turnover frequency value (TOF) as high as 2302 h−1 even at 30 °C. [Display omitted] •The hybrid ZnCo-ZIF templated porous carbons support Pd nanoparticles.•The as-prepared catalyst has highly efficient for dehydrogenation of formic acid.•N and Co inherited from ZnCo-ZIF improve Pd catalytic efficiency.•Dispersion of PdCo nanoparticles by adding Zn atom.•Zn doping also increases N content and specific surface area of the catalysts.