Efficient hydrogen peroxide decomposition on bimetallic Pt–Pd surfaces

Hydrogen peroxide was efficiently decomposed on Pt–Pd surface deposited on Nafion membrane. Comparing the activities for the different materials, the activity for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was found to decrease in the order of Pt–Pd surface > MnO2 > K2Cr2O7 > Au > Polycrystalline Pt plate. Kinetics and thermodynamics of the decomposition process were investigated. It was observed that the decomposition process followed bimolecular first order kinetics, which was well fitted with Eley–Rideal (E–R) model. In this paper, the reason of efficient catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide over bi–metallic Pt–Pd surface has been discussed.

Graphical AbstractFig. Comparisons of catalytic decomposition of H2O2 solution over A1(Pt–Pd;2.1 mg)/Nafion assembly, A2(Pt–Pd;3.3 mg)/Nafion assembly, MnO2(50 mg),K2Cr2O7 (50 mg), Au–PC (4.2 mg) and Pt plate. [H2O2] = 0.50 M; Volume of the reactor 250 ml. Geometric surface area of catalyst 12.0 cm2.Novel Pt–Pd catalyst was developed, which successfully could decompose H2O2 without adding any foreign materials. This catalyst is several times effective than an ordinary polycrystalline Pt surface. The altered electronic property and or enlarged surface area were the reason of enhanced catalytic ability.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights► The bimetallic Pt-Pd surface was exclusively reactive in decomposition of H2O2. ► The catalytic surface was convincingly stable for long time use. ► The decomposition kinetics followed the Elley-Rideal model of surface reaction. ► The electronic properties as well as the large surface area of the Pt-Pd films have been identified as the reasons of enhanced catalytic ability.