Production of CO-free H2 from formic acid. A comparative study of the catalytic behavior of Pt metals on a carbon support

► Pt metals on carbon catalyze the H2 formation from HCOOH with high selectivities. ► CO-free H2 with high yields was obtained only in the reforming of HCOOH on Ir/C. ► IR studies revealed the presence of formate species during the catalytic reaction.