ABSTRACT
We report new results for electrochemical H adsorption on and absorption in octahedral palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) with an average tip-to-tip size of 7.8 nm and a narrow size distribution. They reveal a very high H loading of 0.90 that cannot be achieved using bulk Pd materials or larger NPs; this behavior is assigned to a combination of two factors: their small size and face morphology. Temperature-dependent cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies in the range of 296 to 333 K reveal unique features that are attributed to electrochemical H adsorption, H absorption, and H2 generation. The CV features are used to prepare H adsorption and absorption isotherms that are then used in thermodynamic data analysis. Modeling of the experimental results demonstrates that, upon H adsorption and absorption, Pd-NPs develop a core-shell-skin structure, each with its unique H loading. The electrochemical results obtained for octahedral Pd-NPs are compared to analogous data obtained for cubic Pd-NPs with a similar size as well as for larger cubic Pd-NPs and bulk materials under gas-phase conditions.
ABSTRACT
The potential range in which hydrogen electro-adsorption, electro-absorption, and evolution reaction occur is examined in an acidic medium using cyclic-voltammetry (CV) and Pd nanoparticles with controlled size and shape distributions. The three processes give rise to unique features in CV profiles and are observed in distinct potential ranges. This behavior is not observed for bulk Pd materials and arises due to the nanoscopic nature of the Pd materials.
ABSTRACT
Highly active self-supported PdxBi catalysts are synthesized by the sacrificial support method. Self-supported PdxBi catalysts have a porous nanostructured morphology with high surface areas (in the range from 75 to 100 m(2) g(-1)), making PdxBi a state-of-the-art catalyst. Pd4Bi displays the highest activity toward glycerol oxidation. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy highlights the unique catalytic behavior of self-supported PdxBi materials due to their particular structure and morphology. The confinement of reactants and intermediates in pores acting as nanoreactors is responsible for the high selectivity as a function of the electrode potential: aldehyde and ketone at low potentials, hydroxypyruvate at moderate potentials, and CO2 at high potentials. Moreover, the selectivity depends on the electrode history: it is different for the positive potential scan direction than for the reverse direction, where the catalyst becomes selective toward the production of carboxylates.
