Pd3Co1 Alloy Nanocluster on the MWCNT Catalyst for Efficient Formic Acid Electro-Oxidation

In this study, the Pd3Co1 alloy nanocluster from a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCTN) catalyst was fabricated in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) (referred to Pd3Co1/CNTs). The catalyst shows a better mass activity towards the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) (2410.1 mA mgPd-1), a better anti-CO toxicity (0.36 V) than Pd/CNTs and commercial Pd/C. The improved performance of Pd3Co1/CNTs is attributed to appropriate Co doping, which changed the electronic state around the Pd atom, lowered the d-band of Pd, formed a new Pd-Co bond act at the active sites, affected the adsorption of the toxic intermediates and weakened the dissolution of Pd; moreover, with the assistance of DES, the obtained ultrafine Pd3Co1 nanoalloy exposes more active sites to enhance the dehydrogenation process of the FAOR. The study shows a new way to construct a high-performance Pd-alloy catalyst for the direct formic acid fuel cell.