Facile synthesis of Pd–Au/BNNS bimetallic catalysts for direct generation of H2O2 from H2 and O2 under environmentally friendly conditions

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as an important biocompatible oxidant, has many industrial applications including (bio) medical technologies, textiles, and water treatment. Pd-containing catalysts as active components modified by another metal to improve the activity and selectivity of the catalyst have been reported in the literature for H₂O₂ generation from hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). In the present work, Pd and Au nanoparticles with different molar ratios were successfully and uniformly decorated on boron nitride nanosheets by the impregnation method (Pd_x–Au_y/BNNSs). The catalytic performance of Pd_0.05–Au_0.10/BNNSs in direct H₂O₂ generation was remarkably increased as compared to that of monometallic Pd_x/BNNSs and other bimetallic Au_x–Pd_y/BNNS catalysts (also showing low activity in H₂O₂ degradation). The use of BNNSs as a support for Pd and Au nanoparticles exhibited optimum catalytic activity (47.4% selectivity to H₂O₂, 47.5% H₂ conversion) with respect to reported Pd and Au catalysts.