In situ synthesis of C–SiO2 enhanced Pd nanoparticles for catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid

Formic acid (FA, HCOOH), as a liquid chemical hydrogen storage carrier with low cost, high hydrogen content, and convenient storage and transportation, has attracted extensive attention. Pd-based catalysts for hydrogen production from FA are easy to aggregate and deactivate in the reaction process, which hinders the further development of FA as a hydrogen storage carrier. Therefore, the exploitation of carriers with simple preparation methods and excellent performance can effectively improve the catalytic activity of Pd-based catalysts. Porous carbon and SiO2 have been widely used for their unique structural properties, and the preparation of composite carriers by combining the advantages of both is a current research hotspot. Herein, this work synthesized C–SiO2 for the deposition of Pd nanoparticles by a one-step method, and the obtained Pd/C–SiO2 exhibits a superior FA dehydrogenation activity with a turnover frequency value of 1278 h−1 and a favorable stability with only a slight decrease in activity after five cycles.