Sulfonation of ordered mesoporous carbon supported Pd catalysts for formic acid electrooxidation

A novel supporting material containing benzenesulfonic acid (BSA) groups and ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) was first prepared by in situ radical polymerization of 4-styrenesulfonate and isoamyl nitrite under ambient conditions. Then, Pd nanoparticles were deposited on as-produced OMCs (f-OMCs) by the NaBH4 reduction method. The structure and nature of the resulting composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The results show that BSA groups are created and the texture and surface chemistry are altered, whereas the ordered porous structure is maintained. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pd/f-OMCs catalysts for formic acid oxidation (HCOOH) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods, and excellent electrocatalytic activity can be observed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.