Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Supported Pd-Sb Composite Nanocatalysts for Formic Acid Electrooxidation

Authors

Long-long WANG, Key Laboratory of Shanghai Colleges and Universities for Corrosion Control in Electric Power System and Applied Electrochemistry, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China;
Xiao-lu CAO, Key Laboratory of Shanghai Colleges and Universities for Corrosion Control in Electric Power System and Applied Electrochemistry, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China;
Ya-jun WANG, Key Laboratory of Shanghai Colleges and Universities for Corrosion Control in Electric Power System and Applied Electrochemistry, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China;
Jin-hao PING, Key Laboratory of Shanghai Colleges and Universities for Corrosion Control in Electric Power System and Applied Electrochemistry, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China;
Qiao-xia LI, Key Laboratory of Shanghai Colleges and Universities for Corrosion Control in Electric Power System and Applied Electrochemistry, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China;Follow

Corresponding Author

Qiao-xia LI(liqiaoxia@shiep.edu.cn)

Abstract

Palladium is considered as an efficient anode catalyst with high catalytic activity for electrooxidation of formic acid. To further improve the catalytic activity and stability, alloying or surface modification with Sb is an effective way. In this work, the well dispersed carbon supported Pd-Sb composite nanocatalysts (Pd-Sb/C) were synthesized by traditional impregnation reduction method with trisodium citrate as the complexing agent, sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. The morphologies of Pd-Sb/C and the effects of molar ratio of Pd to Sb on the electrocatalytic properties of Pd-Sb/C for HCOOH electrooxidation were studied. The XRD and XPS analyses on the as-prepared Pd-Sb/C catalyst revealed that Sb (0) was presented on the Pd surface, and the immature alloying of Pd with Sb was achieved. Cyclic voltammetryic and chronoamperometric studies indicated a volcano-shaped relationship between Sb content and electrocatalytic activity with an optimum molar ratio of Pd:Sb=20:1. Compared with the commercial Pd/C catalyst, the Pd-Sb/C (20:1) presented the highest electrocatalytic activity and best stability. This enhancement may be attributed to the electronic effect and bi-functional effect induced by addition of Sb onto Pd surface, resulting in a weaker adsorption and accelerated oxidative removal of CO poison formed during HCOOH electrooxidation.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

palladium-based catalyst, antimony decoration, formic acid electrooxidation, impregnation reduction

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.141124

Publication Date

2015-08-28

Online Available Date

2015-08-28

Revised Date

2015-03-06

Received Date

2014-11-24

Recommended Citation

Long-long WANG, Xiao-lu CAO, Ya-jun WANG, Jin-hao PING, Qiao-xia LI. Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Supported Pd-Sb Composite Nanocatalysts for Formic Acid Electrooxidation[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2015 , 21(4): 368-374.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.141124
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol21/iss4/10