Butylphenyl-functionalized palladium nanoparticles as effective catalysts for the electrooxidation of formic acid

Abstract

Monodisperse butylphenyl-functionalized palladium (Pd-BP, dia. 2.24 nm) nanoparticles were synthesized through co-reduction of butylphenyldiazonium and H(2)PdCl(4) by NaBH(4). Because of this unique surface functionalization and a high specific electro-chemical surface area (122 m(2) g(-1)), the Pd-BP nanoparticles exhibited a mass activity similar to 4.5 times that of commercial Pd black for HCOOH electrooxidation.