Fuel Cell Catalysts Go Sub-Nano

Summary posted by Meridian on 7/22/2009
Source: Royal Society of Chemistry
Author: Hayley Birch

Researchers in Japan have created sub-nano scale platinum clusters, the smallest of which contain just 12 atoms, that have high catalytic activity. The clusters could be used in fuel cell applications and, because of their diminutive size, could help conserve the planet's limited supply of platinum. Commercial platinum nanoparticles contain hundreds or even thousands of atoms, but the Japanese team found that as they decreased the size of the clusters, the catalytic activity for reduction of oxygen increased, and the catalytic current produced by their clusters was 13 times that of commercial platinum nanoparticles. According to lead researcher Kimihisa Yamamoto of Keio University, Japan, "[I]n the community of catalyst chemistry - especially fuel-cell catalysts - the fact that a platinum nanoparticle around 3 nanometres exhibits the best performance has become an established theory. However, our findings at least suggest that these sub-nano clusters made under specific conditions exhibit a high catalytic activity." Yamamoto said their results will lead to drastic reductions in the amount of platinum needed in fuel cells. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

The original article may still be available at www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/July/20070902.asp

As tagged by Meridian Institute:

Energy: Energy, Fuel Cells
Implications: Human Enhancement, Governance, Economic Competitiveness, Socio-Economic Effects
Materials And Manufacturing: Manufacturing, Materials
Nanomaterials: Metal Nanoparticle
Regions: East and South Asia and the Pacific
Stakeholders: Government, Academia
Minerals And Metals: Metals

Related Forums:

• Materials and Manufacturing
• Metals and Minerals
• Socio-Economic
• Economic Competitiveness
• Governance

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