A novel structural design of CNx-Fe3O4 as support to immobilize Pd for catalytic oxidation of formic acid

A new kind of carbon nitride (CNx)-Fe3O4 (Fe3O4-CNx) hybridized composition is fabricated by carbonizing polypyrrole-Fe3O4 hybridized precursor at 800 degrees C. Well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution of 7-11 nm could be very easily prepared on the coraline-like CNx-Fe3O4. Due to the synergetic effect between the N-atom. Pd-atom and Fe3O4 species, the corresponding Pd/Fe3O4-CNx catalyst exhibits higher activity and better stability for the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid than either commercial Pd/C or Pt/C catalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.