Efficient hydrogen generation from formic acid using AgPd nanoparticles immobilized on carbon nitride-functionalized SBA-15

Bimetallic AgPd nanoparticles were successfully immobilized on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) functionalized SBA-15 for the first time by a facile co-reduction method. These catalysts were applied in the decomposition of formic acid. The dehydrogenation of formic acid is dependent on the composition of AgPd and the content of carbon nitride (CN). Among all of the AgPd/mCND/SBA-15 catalysts tested, the Ag10Pd90/0.2CND/SBA-15 catalyst exhibits highly superior performance for the decomposition of formic acid into high-quality hydrogen at 323 K with 100% hydrogen selectivity and a turnover frequency of 893 h−1, which is among the maximum values obtained at 323 K in this paper. The improved performance is a promising step towards the utilization of formic acid as a hydrogen storage material.