In situ reduction of PdO encapsulated in MCM-41 to Pd(0) for dehydrogenation of formic acid

A series of PdO@MCM-41-x was in situ synthesized by a facile one-pot method, and their catalytic performance for dehydrogenation of formic acid was investigated. The PdO nanoparticles were immobilized in MCM-41 channel with small size of 2.2–2.5 nm due to the confinement of mesoporous silica . The initial turnover frequency (TOF) of as-prepared catalyst can reach 1096 h −1 at 323 K with 100% hydrogen selectivity. The hydrogen production activity was better than that of catalyst priorly reduced by hydrogen because of the gradual reduction of PdO nanoparticles and generation of fresh Pd(0) during the formic acid dehydrogenation process, which was confirmed by XPS characterization and catalytic system monitoring. It provides a new way for the preparation of simple and efficient catalysts for hydrogen production , which has great application potential.