Technologies Available for License

2014-012: AuPdCo Intermetallic Core-Shell Nanoparticles as Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

Invention: 2014-012

Patent Status: U.S. Patent Number 9,976,199 was issued on May 22, 2018

For technical and licensing related questions, email tcp@bnl.gov.

Summary

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ORR polarization (a) and cyclic voltammetry (b) curves of AuPdCo/C-intermetallic and Pt/C catalysts before and after10,000 cycle test between 0.6 and 1.0V in 0.1M KOH.

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode of the fuel cell varies with particle size, composition and structure of the electrocatalyst. Considerable efforts to make palladium (Pd) and palladium alloys active catalysts and a possible replacement for expensive platinum (Pt) have had a marginal success. The benefits of size and structure manipulation of the nanoparticles have led Brookhaven researchers to develop a non-Pt-based catalyst that can be used both in alkaline and acidic media. This invention describes structurally ordered intermetallic AuPdCo catalysts that exhibit comparable activity to commercial Pt/C for ORR but much better long-term stability in alkaline medium.

Description

A simple innovative method is developed to synthesize core-shell-structured PdCo nanoparticles that can be further transformed into ordered intermetallic phases by addition of Au atoms and subsequent annealing. The superior stability of AuPdCo catalyst compared with platinum after 10,000 potential cycles in alkaline media is attributed to the atomic structural order of PdCo nanoparticles along with protective effect of clusters of gold atoms on the surface. Furthermore, microscopic analyses of the catalyst showed that atomic ordering of the nanoparticles can significantly affect the catalytic activity. Since catalyst synthesis involves a simple and cost-effective strategy to obtain structurally ordered intermetallic PdCo nanoparticles, it is believed that this approach may offer numerous possibilities in tailoring other transition metal intermetallics.

Journal Publication & Intellectual Property

• US 9,976,199 B2 (.pdf)
• Gold-promoted structurally ordered intermetallic palladium cobalt nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction (.pdf)