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Enhanced Formic Acid Oxidation over SnO2-decorated Pd Nanocubes.
Clara Rettenmaier1, Rosa M Arán-Ais1, Janis Timoshenko1
1Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
ACS Catalysis
|December 28, 2020
Summary
Tin oxide-decorated palladium nanocubes significantly enhance formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) in fuel cells. This catalyst boosts activity and lowers potential by facilitating CO oxidation via a bifunctional mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) is crucial for low-temperature liquid fuel cells.
- Understanding FAOR fundamental aspects requires studying highly active model catalysts.
- Developing improved catalysts necessitates knowledge-driven approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate SnO2-decorated Pd nanocubes (NCs) as model catalysts for FAOR.
- To elucidate the promotional effect of SnO2 on Pd catalytic activity.
- To understand the underlying mechanism of enhanced FAOR performance.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of SnO2-decorated Pd NCs.
- Electrocatalytic performance evaluation for FAOR in acidic medium.
- Utilizing ex situ, quasi in situ, and operando spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (TEM, XPS, XAFS, in situ FTIR).
Main Results:
- SnO2@Pd NCs exhibited a 5.8-fold increase in catalytic activity compared to pure Pd NCs (2.46 vs 0.42 A mg-1 Pd).
- A 100 mV lower peak potential was observed for SnO2@Pd NCs.
- Structure and composition of SnO2@Pd NCs remained stable during FAOR.
- In situ FTIR indicated weaker CO adsorption and a bifunctional mechanism involving SnO2 providing oxygen species.
Conclusions:
- SnO2 decoration enhances Pd catalytic performance for FAOR by facilitating CO oxidation.
- The bifunctional mechanism involves SnO2 supplying oxygen to oxidize the CO intermediate.
- SnO2@Pd NCs offer deeper mechanistic insights into FAOR and show promise for direct formic acid fuel cells.
