Abstract: Pd-Fe/C catalysts were prepared by the impregnation-reduction method. The ratios of Pd to Fe were 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the catalyst particles are homogeneously distributed in the carrier. The average particle sizes are less than 5nm. The influence of adding Fe on Pd/C catalyst crystal structure was also studied. Finally, the activation of Pd-Fe/C catalysts with different Pd/C ratios to the electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid was investigated. The results show that the catalytic performances of Pd/C catalyst are improved by adding suitable Fe; the catalytic performance of the Pd-Fe/C catalysts reaches the best when the atom ration of Pd:Fe equal to 1:1.

Key words: direct formic acid fuel cell, Pd-Fe/C catalyst, electrochemical catalysis