Electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid on the carbon supported Pd-Ni alloy nanoparticles

Pd-Ni/C catalysts with different Pd/Ni atomic ratios were prepared by the impregnation-reduction method. The catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The results showed the effect on particle size and crystal structure of Pd-Ni alloy nanoparticles by adding Ni. The effect of Pd/Ni atomic ratios of Pd-Ni/C catalysts on the oxidation of formic acid were also demonstrated by several electrochemical measures. It was found that carbon-supported Pd-Ni(Pd-Ni/C) catalyst with the suitable atomic ratio of Pd and Ni for the oxidation of formic acid exhibits higher activity and stability. Therefore, the Pd-Ni/C nanoparticle is a promising anode catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cells.