Preparation of Pd–Co-Based Nanocatalysts and Their Superior Applications in Formic Acid Decomposition and Methanol Oxidation

Graphical Twin alloy—twin performance : A simple method is employed to prepare Pd–Co-based nanoparticles that exhibit high catalytic performance toward formic acid decomposition and methanol oxidation. The Pd 3d binding energy decreases owing to the presence of Co, which gives rise to the improved catalytic activity and selectivity toward FA dehydrogenation at room temperature and electrocatalytic performance in methanol oxidation. Formic acid (FA) and methanol, as convenient hydrogen-containing materials, are most widely used for fuel cells. However, using suitable and low-cost catalysts to further improve their energy performance still is a matter of great significance. Herein, PdCo and PdCo@Pd nanocatalysts (NCs) are successfully prepared by the facile method. Pd 3d binding energy decreases due to the presence of Co. Consequently, PdCo@Pd NCs exhibit high catalytic activity and selectivity toward FA dehydrogenation at room temperature. The gas-generation rate at 30 min is 65.4 L h −1 g −1 . PdCo/C has the worst catalytic performance in this reaction, despite the fact that it has a high gas-generation rate in the initial 30 min. Furthermore, both PdCo and PdCo@Pd NCs have enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward methanol oxidation. Their maximum currents are 966 and 1205 mA mg −1 , respectively, which is much higher than monometallic Pd/C.