Deactivation resistant PdSb/C catalysts for direct formic acid fuel cells

Formic acid oxidation at novel carbon supported PdSb alloy catalysts has been studied in a multi-anode direct formic acid fuel cell with supporting mechanistic studies in a conventional electrochemical cell. The optimized PdSb/C catalysts show better high voltage and long term performances than a comparable commercial Pd/C catalyst and much better resistance to poisoning (deactivation). Electrochemical stripping voltammograms show that the presence of Sb lowers the potential required for CO oxidation, and greatly decreases the accumulation of CO on the catalyst surface during formic acid oxidation.