Amine-functionalized carbon nanotubes supported NiAuPd nanoparticles as an efficient in-situ prepared catalyst for formic acid dehydrogenation

Hydrogen (H-2) generation from formic acid (FA) decomposition is a promising route in practical application of hydrogen energy. As a promising H-2 supplier, besides the advantage of high H-2 content and excellent stability, FA can also be used as a mild reducing agent. Herein, an in-situ prepared NiAuPd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on aminefunctionalized carbon nanotubes (NiAuPd/NH2-CNTs) with FA as the reducing agent is successfully developed at room temperature. The as-prepared NiAuPd/NH2-CNTs are directly used for the catalytic decomposition of FA, exhibiting excellent activity and 100% H-2 selectivity with the initial turnover frequency (TOFinitial) value of 699.1 and 3006.1 mol H-2 mol Pd-1 h(-1) at 303 and 333 K, respectively. Moreover, the additive sodium formate (SF) can further facilitate the reduction process and enhance the catalytic performance, with the TOFinitial value of 4391.1 mol H-2 mol Pd-1 h(-1) at 333 K, which are comparable to most of the reported heterogeneous catalysts with the complicated post-treatment. The excellent catalytic performance of NiAuPd/NH2-CNTs is mainly attributed to the high dispersion of NPs and the boost effect of-NH2 group on O-H cleavage. This work provides a feasible strategy to design in-situ prepared catalysts for the efficient high-quality H-2 generation from FA for fuel cells application. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hydrogen generation from formic acid decomposition is a promising route in hydrogen energy application. A catalyst with NiAuPd nanoparticles supported on amine-functionalized carbon nanotubes using formic acid as the reducing agent exhibits excellent catalytic performance for hydrogen production.