Controllable synthesis of carbon nanofiber supported Pd catalyst for formic acid electrooxidation

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) supported Pd nanoparticles are synthesized with sodium citrate and sodium borohydride served as stabilizing agent and reducing agent, respectively. The size and distribution of the supported Pd nanoparticles are controlled by adjusting the pH value of the synthesis solution. Analyses of the obtained Pd/CNF catalysts indicate that the supported Pd nanoparticles become more uniform in size and the average particle size is decreased from 5.85 to 3.62 nm with pH value of the synthesis solution increasing from 3.2 to 6.0. However, the further increasing of the pH value to 6.5 leads to an increased particle size and the formation of PdO phase in the synthesized Pd/CNF catalyst. The Pd/CNF catalyst synthesized at the pH value of 6.0 exhibits superior catalytic activity and stability for formic acid electrooxidation due to its small particle size and uniform size distribution.

► CNF supported Pd nanoparticles of varying particle size are synthesized.
► The Pd particle size varies with the pH value of the synthesis solution.
► Highly dispersed Pd/CNF catalyst exhibits good activity for formic acid oxidation.