Boosting electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid on SnO2-decorated Pd nanosheets

Formic acid (HCOOH), as a natural biomass, is promising feedstock for low temperature fuel cells, and rational development of efficient catalysts electrochemical dehydrogenation HCOOH plays key role toward its full chemical energy utilization. Herein, Pd nanosheets decorated with SnO2 nanoflakes (denoted hereafter [email protected]2-NSs) are designed composite catalyst, showing superior performance formic electro-oxidation, compared to pristine (Pd-NSs). In situ attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopic results suggest promoted formate pathway on the protected]2-NSs suppressed accumulation CO poisoning species. DFT calculations further indicate that (1 1 1) surface modified has lower barriers bidentate formation, monodentate transformation C-H bond scission.