Functionalized biochars as supports for Pd/C catalysts for efficient hydrogen production from formic acid

[Display omitted] •Biochar Pd based catalysts for efficient production of hydrogen from formic acid.•Biochar physicochemical properties modification for use as a catalytic support.•Meso-macroporosity as a requirement for biochar-based catalysts to efficiently produce clean hydrogen.•Key role of chemistry of the catalyst’s surface in HCOOH conversion.•Robust, stable and selective catalyst, after more than 25 h and 3 reaction cycles Biomass waste product was used to generate biochars as catalytic supports for selective hydrogen production from formic acid. The supports were obtained after pyrolysis in CO2 atmosphere of non-pretreated and chemically ZnCl2 activated raw materials (vine shoot and crystalline cellulose). The support series includes materials with different textural properties and surface chemistry. The support nature and especially textural properties firstly affects significantly Pd size and dispersion and its interaction with the support and secondly influence in a great extent the catalytic behavior of the final material. The presence of prevailing mesoporous character appeared to be the most important parameter influencing formic acid dehydrogenation and overall hydrogen production.