The development of an efficient catalyst for formic acid electrocatalytic oxidation reaction (FAEOR) is of great significance to accelerate the commercial application of direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC). Herein, palladium phosphide (PdxPy) porous nanotubes (PNTs) with different phosphide content (i.e., Pd3P and Pd5P2) are prepared by combining the self-template reduction method of dimethylglyoxime-Pd(II) complex nanorods and succedent phosphating treatment. During the reduction process, the self-removal of the template and the continual inside–outside Ostwald ripening phenomenon are responsible for the generation of the one-dimensional hollow and porous architecture. On the basis of the unique synthetic procedure and structural advantages, Pd3P PNTs with optimized phosphide content show outstanding electroactivity and stability for FAEOR. Importantly, the strong electronic effect between Pd and P promotes the direct pathway of FAEOR and inhibits the occurrence of the formic acid decomposition reaction, which effectively enhances the FAEOR electroactivity of Pd3P PNTs. In view of the facial synthesis, excellent electroactivity, high stability, and unordinary selectivity, Pd3P PNTs have the potential to be an efficient anode electrocatalyst for DFAFC. 

Porous palladium phosphide nanotubes for formic acid electrooxidation

In situ produced Co9S8 nanoclusters/Co/Mn-S, N multi-doped 3D porous carbon derived from eriochrome black T as an effective bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries

In situ produced Co9S8 nanoclusters/Co/Mn-S, N multi-doped 3D porous carbon derived from eriochrome black T as an effective bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Current and future trends for spinel-type electrocatalysts in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

Morphological control of noble-metal-based nanocrystals has attracted enormous attention because their catalytic behaviors can be optimized well by adjusting the size and shape. Herein, the controllable synthesis of web-footed PdCu nanosheets via a facile surfactant-free method is reported. It is discovered that the Cu(II) precursor in this synthetic system displays a critical role in growing branches along the lateral of nanosheets. This work demonstrates a Pd-based alloy nanoarchitecture for efficient and stable electrocatalysis of both ethanal and formic acid oxidation reactions.

Controllable Synthesis of Web-Footed PdCu Nanosheets and Their Electrocatalytic Applications.

Layered and Heterostructured Pd/PdWCr Sheet-Assembled Nanoflowers as Highly Active and Stable Electrocatalysts for Formic Acid Oxidation

Hierarchical defective palladium-silver alloy nanosheets for ethanol electrooxidation

Although PdCu alloy is recognized as an active catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation, its activity needs significant enhancement to satisfy the practical application. In this study, surface nitrided PdCu nanosheets are constructed through a facile nitrogen plasma treatment. The obtained catalyst shows highly enhanced catalytic activity and stability toward ethanol oxidation reaction in comparison with normal PdCu nanosheets and Pd nanosheets. The improvement should be ascribed to the combined electronic and structural effects from introduced Cu and facile surface nitridation, which promote charge transfer and suppress CO poisoning. This work offers a guideline to design and synthesize efficient catalysts for energy electrocatalysis by rational surface engineering.

Xiaomin Meng

Papers

Layered and Heterostructured Pd/PdWCr Sheet-Assembled Nanoflowers as Highly Active and Stable Electrocatalysts for Formic Acid Oxidation

Controllable Synthesis of Web-Footed PdCu Nanosheets and Their Electrocatalytic Applications.

Hierarchical defective palladium-silver alloy nanosheets for ethanol electrooxidation

Surface Nitridation of PdCu Nanosheets to Promote Charge Transfer and Suppress CO Poisoning toward Ethanol Electrooxidation

Holey PdPb nanosheet array: An advanced catalyst for methanol electrooxidation