AuPd-MnOx/MOF-Graphene: An Efficient Catalyst for Hydrogen Production from Formic Acid at Room Temperature

The safe and efficient storage and release of hydrogen are widely recognized as the main challenges for the establishment of a fuel-cell-based hydrogen economy. Formic acid (FA) has great potential as a safe and convenient source of hydrogen for fuel cells. Despite tremendous efforts, the development of heterogeneous catalysts with high activity and relatively low cost remains a major challenge. The synthesis of AuPd-MnOx nanocomposite immobilized on ZIF-8-reduced-graphene-oxide (ZIF-8-rGO) bi-support by a wet-chemical method is reported here. Interestingly, the resultant AuPd-MnOx/ZIF-8-rGO shows excellent catalytic activity for the generation of hydrogen from FA, and the initial turnover frequency (TOF) reaches a highest value of 382.1 mol H-2 mol catalyst(-1) h(-1) without any additive at 298 K. This good performance of AuPd-MnOx/ZIF-8-rGO results from the modified electronic structure of Pd in the AuPd-MnOx/ZIF-8-rGO composite, the small size and high dispersion of the AuPd-MnOx nanocomposite, and also the strong metal-support interaction between the AuPd-MnOx and ZIF-8-rGO bi-support.