Effect of Carbon Modification on Electrocatalytic Performance of Carbon Supported Pd Catalysts

The effect of carbon modification on electrocatalytic performance of carbon supported Pd catalysts was investigated. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Boehm titration measurements demonstrate that the contents of O-containing groups and N-containing groups on the activated carbon surface increase via HNO3 and NH4OHtreatment. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electrochemical measurements indicate that the treatment of activated carbon with HNO3 can decrease the size of the Pd particles. Thus, the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the carbon supported Pd catalyst for the oxidation of formic acid are enhanced. The treatment of activated carbon with NH4OH has almost no effect on the Pd particles size, however, the content of Pd0 in the Pd/C catalyst enhances, which leads to the further increase in the electrocatalytic performance the Pd/C catalyst.