Pt-Cu Nanoframes: Engineered for Performance and Durability

Background:

Fuel cells depend heavily on platinum-based catalysts for anode reactions, but high cost, poor CO tolerance, and limited durability hinder widespread adoption. Alloying platinum with other metals has been attempted to lower cost and improve activity, but these efforts often result in inconsistent shape, size, or composition, reducing catalytic effectiveness. The lack of precise morphology control prevents optimal facet exposure and limits performance, scalability, and commercial viability.

Technology Overview:

This invention presents a hot organic solution synthesis process to produce bimetallic Pt-Cu nanocubes with uniform {100} facets and controlled alloy composition. The method employs Pt and Cu acetylacetonates, reducing agents, and surfactants (TOAB, OLA, DDT, TDD) to create monodisperse nanocubes. Compositions such as Pt₆₀Cu₄₀ and Pt₈₀Cu₂₀ deliver superior catalytic performance and enhanced CO tolerance. Pt₆₀Cu₄₀ is optimized for methanol oxidation, while Pt₈₀Cu₂₀ demonstrates extended durability for formic acid oxidation, significantly outperforming pure platinum catalysts.

Advantages:

• Higher catalytic activity for methanol oxidation compared to Pt/C and spherical Pt-Cu
• Long-term stability (~300 hours) for formic acid oxidation vs. ~3 hours with pure Pt
• Reduced platinum usage through optimized Pt-Cu alloy ratios
• Enhanced CO tolerance relative to conventional platinum catalysts
• Precise control of catalyst morphology and composition with {100} facet exposure
• Scalable, cost-effective synthesis without specialized equipment

Applications:

• Fuel cell anode catalysts for methanol and formic acid systems
• Portable power solutions for consumer electronics and lightweight vehicles
• Industrial electrocatalysts for formic acid and methanol conversion processes

Intellectual Property Summary:

• US Patent 8,592,339 (Filed: 11/23/2010; Issued: 11/26/2013)
• US Publication US 2011/0124500 A1

Stage of Development:

Patented – Catalyst synthesis and performance validated with demonstrated improvements in activity, CO tolerance, and durability over platinum. TRL ~5.

Licensing Status:

This technology is available for licensing.

Licensing Potential:

This technology is well-suited for licensing to fuel cell developers, catalyst manufacturers, and companies targeting portable energy, automotive fuel cells, and industrial electrocatalysis markets.

Additional Information:

Performance test results, nanocube morphology data, and synthesis optimization details are available upon request.