Unveiling the efficient state of Pd catalyst for robust electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination

The application of electrochemical hydrodechlorination has been impeded due to the low utilization and activity of Pd catalyst. Herein, a series of Pd catalysts were prepared via the controllable evolution of Zn state during the pyrolysis of ZIF-8 nanosheet. Various forms of Pd with different chemical surroundings were generated upon the combined use of galvanic displacement and ion exchange process. Electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol was performed and the electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination efficiency of Pd/CN reaches 100% within 3 h at extra low Pd concentration. The coexistence of zero-valent Pd (Pd0) and nitrogen coordinated Pd (Pd–N) was verified by XAFS which provide multiple active sites for focusing on adsorbing H* and cracking C–Cl respectively. The synergetic effect between different chemical state of Pd for efficient hydrodechlorination of chloroaromatics and scheme for dexterous preparation of Pd based electrocatalyst are proposed and discussed.