Nanosized palladium on holey graphene sheets incorporating PxOy for effective formic acid oxidation

- Holey graphene (HG) sheets incorporating PxOy were synthesized and used as a support material for Pd nanoparticles (Pd/HGPxOy)
- HCOOH oxidation on Pd/HGPxOy was better than that obtained using unmodified HG supporting Pd
- XPS revealed an electron transfer from Pd to HGPxOy
- HCOOH oxidation is favored by Pd/HGPxOy due to the decreased Pd electron density

A stack of basic structural carbon units incorporating phosphorus oxides (PxOy) at edges and internal defects is obtained and used as a support material for Pd nanoparticles, with the aim of creating an efficient electrocatalyst for HCOOH oxidation. In contrast to the lack of activity displayed by Pd supported on lyophilized and vacuum-annealed graphene oxides, Pd on holey graphene sheets incorporating PxOy (Pd/HGPxOy) shows efficient activity and stability in HCOOH oxidation. Surface analysis of fresh and reacted catalysts reveals that HCOOH oxidation is favored by Pd/HGPxOy due to the decreased Pd electron density caused by electron transfer from Pd to HGPxOy.

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