Interfacing with Fe–N–C Sites Boosts the Formic Acid Dehydrogenation of Palladium Nanoparticles

Hierarchical micro-/mesoporous carbons with abundant Fe–N–C sites were prepared through one-step carbonization of a metal–organic framework (MOF) with sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [NaFe­(III)­EDTA], which can facilitate the nucleation and growth of ultrafine (∼1.4 nm) and highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). Interfacing Pd NPs with Fe–N–C sites has been demonstrated for the first time to boost the heterogeneous catalysis of hydrogen production from formic acid, affording an ultrahigh turnover frequency (TOF) value of 7361 h^–1 at 323 K. The robust synergistic interactions between Pd NPs and Fe–N–C sites together with the small size effects of Pd NPs are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity.