New technologies are starved for efficient and inexpensive catalysts. The best materials are made up of nanoparticles, whose properties are the result of their small size. The single catalyst particles have, however, an ugly tendency to cluster into larger particles, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
A group of scientists from the International School of Advanced Studies in Trieste and the DEMOCRITOS centre of the Istituto Officina dei Materiali of the Italian National Research Council (IOM-CNR), with the collaboration of other institutions, have developed a material that maintains the stability of a “dispersed” catalyst, thus maximising the efficiency of the process and decreasing costs and wastage. The study has just been published in Nature Communications.
Platinum is one of the costly metals used as catalysts in new technologies employed for industrial chemical processes, renewable energy sources, pollution control and many other purposes. In particular, it is used for fuel cells, devices that turn chemical energy directly into electrical energy, without combustion. Research has shown that the greatest efficiency is achieved when the catalyst is available in the form of nanoparticles (smaller than 10-9 m). Simply put, the greater the dispersion of the material and the smaller the size of the particles, the more is it available for catalysis. Unfortunately, the laws of thermodynamics cause the particles to “stick” to one another and form larger clusters, which is why the material becomes less effective over time. So what can be done to maintain maximal dispersion of the “nanopowder”?
A group of SISSA/CNR IOM scientists (with the collaboration of the Univerzita Karlova in Prague) has studied a way to produce tiny platinum grains consisting of one atom only and to keep them dispersed in a stable manner, by exploiting the properties of the substrate on which they rest.
“Theoretical work demonstrated that irregularities in the surface known as steps and observed in experiments conducted at the Trieste Synchrotron tend to attract and separate the nanoparticles, causing them to remain literally attached in the form of single atoms”, explains Stefano Fabris, CNR-IOM/SISSA research fellow.
“The particles adhering to the steps were no longer visible even using an atomic resolution microscope” explains Nguyen-Dung Tran, a SISSA PhD student. “However, their presence was detected by spectroscopy, so they were indeed there, but they were no longer visible or free to move around”. “Our computer simulations solved this dilemma, showing that the particles on the steps are reduced to single atoms” adds Matteo Farnesi Camellone (CNR-IOM), another author of the study.
“If the surface is engineered to contain a large number of these defects, then the force that binds the particles to the substrate effectively offsets the aggregation force”, explains Fabris. The theoretical work, led by Fabris, allowed the researchers to develop a “system model” on the computer able predict the behaviour of the material. The model’s predictions were confirmed by the experimental measurements. Materials like this can be used for fuel cell electrodes, with far lower costs than the current ones.
“Reducing the amount of platinum used in fuel cell electrodes is a priority, not only to contain costs but also to ensure environmental sustainability, as also indicated by the recent European directives” concludes Fabris. The European project ChipCAT, which funded this research, aims precisely to achieve this goal.
Learn more: Nanoparticles on nanosteps
The Latest on: Dispersed catalysts
[google_news title=”” keyword=”dispersed catalysts” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Dispersed catalysts
- Harnessing AI for Enhanced Asset Managementon April 26, 2024 at 1:29 pm
In the dynamic world of industrial operations, efficient asset management is the cornerstone of success. From heavy machinery to critical equipment, businesses rely on the seamless functioning of ...
- JL: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2's Biggest Burning Questionson April 26, 2024 at 12:20 pm
The original Crisis comic had the Monitor's energy dispersed to protect various Earths and keep the alliance going. It might be that's the case, and he will return to help a regretful Kara. She has ...
- To resist genocide is Gaza’s indomitable choiceon April 26, 2024 at 7:59 am
Learning from recent genocides including Sabra and Shatila, and Srebrenica, surrender was certainly never an option.
- Q1 2024 Amalgamated Bank Earnings Callon April 25, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Amalgamated financial first quarter 2024 earnings call. (Operator Instructions) As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded. I would ...
- Microsoft, Alphabet Face a ‘Show Me’ Moment After Meta Misfireon April 25, 2024 at 11:06 am
The stakes are high as two of the biggest artificial intelligence players prepare to unveil results, a day after Meta Platforms Inc. alarmed investors with its forecast.
- The transformative power of unconventional mentoring programmeson April 23, 2024 at 5:02 am
The Thrive programme serves as a compelling case for the transformative power of unconventional mentoring initiatives. It has become a cornerstone of our organisational culture and, as it continues to ...
- Bitcoin Halving Countdown: The Survival and Preparedness of Bitcoin Mining Industryon April 22, 2024 at 12:15 am
At the time of writing, there are less than 300 blocks left until the fourth Bitcoin halving. With blocks being generated on average every 10 minutes, we have less than two days before we witness this ...
- Rights, Reason, Revolution: In DC at the Bitcoin Policy Summiton April 17, 2024 at 7:30 am
The Bitcoin Policy Summit boasted a remarkable turnout, with more than 45,000 individuals tuning into the livestream. Among the 500+ in-person attendees were representatives from 26 universities, 75 ...
- The Widening Overlap Between Cloud Workloads and Cybersecurityon April 17, 2024 at 4:13 am
Cloud workloads can end up in a malefactor’s spotlight because they serve as conduits to accessing the wider applications they belong to.
- Anatomy Of A Recession Update: What's Different About This Cycle?on April 11, 2024 at 5:49 am
Jeff Schulze discusses the updated ClearBridge Recession Risk Dashboard, which has seen some progress underneath the surface despite not having any indicator changes.
via Bing News