Nanotubular g-C3N4 confining AuPd particle for the improved catalytic reactivity in hydrogen production from formic acid

Hydrogen is a promising energy vector that provides an alternative to carbon fuels. Catalytic dehydro-genation of formic acid is an efficient solution to produce hydrogen, as formic acid can store hydrogen economically. In this study, novel AuPd supported by nanotubular T-g-C3N4 was synthesized using a chemical wet impregnation and reduction method. The graphene, bulk B-g-C3N4, and nanosheet-like S-g-C3N4 were also employed as AuPd supports for comparison. It was observed that the AuPd nano -particles on carbon nitrides have higher dispersion and activity than those on graphene, due to the anchoring and electron donation effects of nitrogen. The reactivity of AuPd nanocatalyst was related to the geometry of g-C3N4 support. The T-g-C3N4 possesses the lowest surface area, which induced the lower dispersion of supported AuPd, as compared to B-g-C3N4 and S-g-C3N4. However, the AuPd/T-g-C3N4 delivered the highest catalytic activity, attributed to the confinement effect of the nanotubular geometry.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel AuPd catalyst supported by nanotubular T-g-C3N4 was synthesized and found to have higher dispersion and activity compared to graphene and other carbon nitrides. The reactivity of the AuPd nanocatalyst was closely related to the geometry of the g-C3N4 support, with the nanotubular structure of T-g-C3N4 showing the highest catalytic activity.