Catalytic Ability for Formic Acid Decomposition and Electrocatalytic Performance for Formic Acid Oxidation of Carbon Supported Pd Catalyst Prepared with NH4F Complexing Reduction Method

The poor electrocatalytic stability of the Pd/C catalyst and the catalytic decomposition of formic acid by the Pd/C catalyst are two problems for direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC). The results show that the electrocatalytic activity of the NH4F modified Pd/C catalyst prepared with NH4F complexing reduction method for formic acid oxidation is about 20% better than that of the Pd/C catalyst. The electrocatalytic stability of the title catalyst is also better than that of the Pd/C catalyst. Furthermore, formic acid can be decomposed on the Pd/C catalyst to produce 38 mL gas in 120 s at 30 degrees C. However, formic acid is almost not decomposed on the NH4F modified Pd/C catalyst. The NH4F modification can mainly inhibit the catalytic ability for the decomposition of formic acid on the Pd/C catalyst. In addition, it can increase in a certain extent the electrocatalytic performance of the Pd/C catalyst for the formic acid oxidation.