Bimetallic Pd–Bi nanocatalysts derived from NaBH4 reduction of BiOCl and Pd2+ and exhibit highly efficient hydrogen production over formaldehyde solution

Using liquid formaldehyde as a carrier to obtain clean hydrogen is a promising method. The development of inexpensive catalysts with high activity and stability is crucial for this reaction. Herein, bimetallic Pd–Bi nanocatalysts with different Pd to Bi ratios were prepared through one step in-situ reduction of BiOCl and Pd²⁺ ions by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). The effect of Pd/Bi ratios and reaction parameters such as formaldehyde concentration and sodium hydroxide concentration on hydrogen production performance were systematically studied. By optimizing the Pd contents in Pd–Bi nanocatalysts under the optimized reaction conditions, an much higher hydrogen (H₂) production rate of 472.2 mL min^?1g^?1 over Pd/BiOCl-3% under 298.15 K can be achieved, which is 4.01 times that of pure Pd nanoparticles (NPs) and much higher than most reported metal-based catalysts.