Synthesis and Processing of Carbon-Supported Binary PtFe and Ternary PtVFe Nanoparticles as Fuel Cells

 Technology Overview:

 This invention describes a new technology that allows controllable preparation of highly active carbon-supported ternary nanoparticles as fuel cell electrocatalyst. The working principles of the preparation involve core-shell approach in nanoparticle synthesis. Because of its simplicity and versatility, the immediate application of this technology is as electrocatalyst in fuel cells. In addition, it may find a wide range of applications involving the use of metal and alloy-based catalysts.Advantages:In comparison with existing catalyst preparation methods (e.g., co-precipitation, impregnation, etc.), this new technology offers advantages in a number of areas.

 Advantages:

 

• The size is fully controllable in the 2-nm range and highly monodispersed.
• The ternary compositions are fully controllable.
• The nanoparticles are easily assembled onto carbon support with controllable loading.

• The carbon-supported electrocatalysts after calcination are more active than commercial Pt/C nanoparticle electrocatalyst.

 

Intellectual Property Summary:

• US 7,053,021 
• JP  5,562,519