Preparation method of an ultrafine carbon supported Pd catalyst as an anodic catalyst in a direct formic acid fuel cell

It was reported for the first time that the carbon supported Pd (Pd/C) catalyst was prepared in the aqueous solution with NH4F and H3BO3. The average size and the relative crystallinity of the Pd particles in the Pd/C catalyst prepared with this method are much lower than that of the Pd/C catalyst prepared with general reduction method because PdCl2 can form the complex with NH4F. Therefore, the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the Pd/C catalyst prepared with this method for the formic acid oxidation in the direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) are better than that of the Pd/C catalyst prepared with the general reduction method. This preparation method is very simple. Therefore, it is hopeful to have a practical application in the catalyst preparation. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.