Highly active core–shell Au@Pd catalyst for formic acid electrooxidation

Carbon supported bimetallic Au–Pd catalysts with the core–shell structure were prepared by the successive reduction method. TEM, XRD, XPS and UV–vis spectrum were used to characterize the core–shell sample and the monometallic samples. The electrochemical tests (cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA)) showed that the core–shell structure could significantly improve the catalytic activity and stability of Pd in the room temperature electrooxidation of formic acid. The carbon supported pure Au sample showed no activity to the electrooxidation of formic acid and CO. The improvement of activity is ascribed to the interaction between Pd shell and Au core.