PdBi alloy nanoparticle-enhanced catalytic activity toward formic acid oxidation

Improved performance and reduced costs are crucial to develop catalysts for direct formic acid fuel cells. In this study, PdBi alloy nanoparticles were synthesized using a facile seed-mediated growth method. The as-synthesized Pd 1 Bi 1 alloy nanoparticles exhibited a large electrochemical surface area (46.3 m 2  g −1 ) and a high mass activity (1.44 A mg −1 ), which was 1.19- and 4.8-fold higher than that of commercial Pd/C catalysts, respectively. The PdBi alloy nanoparticle is a promising catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cells.