Energy conversion
Shape dependent activity of platinum nanoparticle array catalyst
Modern nanofabrication techniques can be used to produce platinum nanoparticle arrays with nearly perfect control of particle number, morphology, position, and orientation. This opens an opportunity to relate microscopic morphologies with macroscopic catalytic reactivities, e.g., an oxygen-reduction reaction, the sluggishness of which is impeding widespread deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in the automotive industry. Increased oxygen reduction activity is attribute to a cooperative interplay between facets with different affinities to oxygen.
Unique Activity of Pt Ad-islands in the CO Electrooxidation Reaction
Ideally, atomic scale engineering could provide a venue for development of electrocatalytic materials of enhanced activity and stability. To accomplish this ambitious objective, it would be necessary both to obtain a thorough understanding of the relationship between the atomic-level surface structure and the catalytic properties and to develop techniques to synthesize and stabilize desired active sites. In our recent paper, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study in which we demonstrate how this approach can be used to develop novel, platinum-based electrocatalysts for the CO electrooxidation reaction in CO(g)-saturated solution.
Multimetallic Au/FePt3 Nanoparticles as Highly Durable Electrocatalyst
Numerous research efforts have indicated that the activity of platinum catalysts can be improved by alloying Pt with transition metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni. Despite the quest for more active systems, the stability of catalysts is generally less investigated. In this combined study of well defined surfaces and nanoparticles synthesis we show that the multimetallic Au/FePt3 nanoparticle catalyst shows superior durability when compared to FePt3 or Pt nanoparticles. The approach reported in this study can be generalized to connect fundamental studies and novel nanomaterial synthesis for advanced catalytic applications.
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