Improved hydrogen evolution performance by engineering bimetallic AuPd loaded on amino and nitrogen functionalized mesoporous hollow carbon spheres

A highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by delicate engineering of NH2-functionalized and N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (NH2–N-HMCS), which was used for supporting AuPd alloy nanoparticles with ultrafine size and good dispersion (denoted as AuPd/NH2–N-HMCS). Without using any additives, the prepared AuPd/NH2–N-HMCS catalytic formic acid dehydrogenation possesses superior catalytic activity with an initial turnover frequency value of 7747 mol H2 per mol catalyst per h at 298 K. The excellent performance of AuPd/NH2–N-HMCS derives from the unique hollow mesoporous structure, the small particle sizes and high dispersion of AuPd nanoparticles and the modified Pd electronic structure in the AuPd/NH2–N-HMCS composite, as well as the synergistic effect of the modified support.