Highly efficient hydrogen evolution from formic acid using B, N co-doped carbon-supported Pd nanoparticles

A facile novel B, N co-doped carbon was fabricated by high-temperature pyrolysis of a mixture of ethylenedi-amine tetraacetic acid disodium salt and boric acid, on which Pd nanoparticles were loaded to synthesize highly efficient Pd/BNC catalyst for dehydrogenation of formic acid. The type and content of N are regulated by the doping of B elements in carbon materials. The high content of N and B doping provides more anchor sites for Pd and strengthens the interaction between the support and Pd nanoparticles, thus forming highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles and regulating the electronic property of Pd. Therefore, the obtained Pd/BNC catalyst displayed enhanced performance (TOF = 2760 h-1) and a lower activation barrier (31.84 kJ/mol). Furthermore, the catalyst also exhibited wonderful cycling stability for hydrogen evolution from formic acid.

Automated summary

A facile novel B, N co-doped carbon was prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt and boric acid mixture. Pd nanoparticles were loaded onto the carbon material to synthesize highly efficient Pd/BNC catalyst for formic acid dehydrogenation. The doping of B elements regulated the type and content of N, providing more anchor sites for Pd and enhancing the interaction between support and Pd nanoparticles, resulting in highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles and regulated electronic properties of Pd. The obtained Pd/BNC catalyst displayed enhanced performance and lower activation barrier, as well as excellent cycling stability for hydrogen evolution from formic acid.