Enhanced catalytic activity over palladium supported on ZrO2@C with NaOH-assisted reduction for decomposition of formic acid

Abstract

A ZrO₂@C support based on t-ZrO₂ embedded in amorphous carbon was obtained via the pyrolysis of a UiO-66 precursor. Highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were subsequently deposited onto this support, using NaOH-assisted reduction, to obtain a formic acid (FA) decomposition catalyst. This material showed a turnover frequency (TOF) for the heterogeneously-catalyzed decomposition of FA of 8588 h⁻¹ at 60 °C, with 100% H₂ selectivity. This performance is ascribed to the uniform dispersion of smaller palladium nanoparticles and a synergistic effect between the metal NPs and support. Even at 30 °C, the complete decomposition of FA was achievable in FA/SF (SF, sodium formate) solution, with a TOF as high as 1857 h⁻¹.