The Improvement of Pd Nanoclusters Electro-Catalytic Properties for FAO by the Addition of Co Element

Abstract

Near-monodisperse Pd and PdCo nanoclusters were synthesized by physical vapor deposition using a plasma-gas-condensation cluster deposition system and tested for catalyzing formic acid oxidation. Under the condition of high vacuum and inert gas, NCs with clean surface and uniform size were obtained. The cyclic voltammetry tests revealed that the electrochemical surface area was increased from 49.7 m2g-1to 51.7 m2g-1and the peak current density of catalyzing FAO was raised from 0.115 mA cm-2to 0.125 mA cm-2when about 12wt. % Co element was added. Additionally, the tolerance to CO poisoning of Pd could also be improved by the addition of Co. The result indicated that this method offered a chemical-free way to prepare clean and efficient Pd-based nanoscale catalytics and encouraged deeper exploration for electrochemichal catalytic reactions.