Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of ChalcogenidoplumbatesII or IV
Published on: December 29, 2016
Electrically conducting palladium selenide (Pd4Se, Pd17Se15, Pd7Se4) phases: synthesis and activity towards hydrogen
Suresh Kukunuri1, P Muthu Austeria1, S Sampath1
1Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India. sampath@ipc.iisc.ernet.in.
Abstract:
Electrically conducting, continuous films of different phases of palladium selenides are synthesized by the thermolysis of single source molecular precursors. The films are found to be adherent on flat substrates such as glass, indium tin oxide and glassy carbon and are stable under electrochemical conditions. They are electrocatalytically active and in particular, for hydrogen evolution reaction. Catalytic activities with low Tafel slopes of 50-60 mV per decade are observed.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...

