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Category: nanotechnology

BSA 11-13: Apparatus and Method for the Synthesis and Treatment of Metal Monolayer Electrocatalyst Particles

BNL Reference Number: BSA 11-13

Patent Status: Provisional filed on March 23, 2011

Summary

Electrochemical cell for fabricating nanoparticles coated with atomically thin layers of noble metals.

Despite the exciting properties of core-shell catalysts, especially fuel cell electrocatalysts, that use only monolayers of noble metals, they will not be useful in applications until a method is developed to make greater quantities of them in a reasonable time. This electrochemical cell is currently capable of making up to 50-g batches of monolayer-coated nanoparticle catalysts, and can be scaled up to produce kilogram quantities.

Description

The apparatus includes a cell for synthesizing noble-metal monolayer or bilayer catalysts onto metal, alloy, core-shell, carbon, carbon-nanotube or carbon-nanohorn nanoparticles. The cell body, serving as an electrolyte container and a cathode, is designed to be in contact with the nanoparticles. The cell further comprises a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a stirring controller. Additionally, the cell is adapted to maintain an atmosphere of an inert gas within the cell. The size of the cell can be made quite large with adequate power supply and can optionally contain ultrasonic equipment. The cell itself may include a counter electrode compartment containing a glass container. The potential applied to the cell body is controlled by means of an external power supply. In a preferred embodiment the power supply is capable of applying a voltage in the range of -1 to +1 Volts and includes a stirring controller capable of rotating a stirrer, which can be a mechanical or magnetic stirrer, preferably a magnetic stirrer, at a rotational speed of 0 to 500 rotations per minute.

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.