Argonne maintains a wide-ranging science and technology portfolio that seeks to address complex challenges in interdisciplinary and innovative ways. Below is a list of all articles, highlights, profiles, projects, and organizations related specifically to catalysis.
A multimetallic nanoscale catalyst having a sore portion enveloped by a shell portion and exhibiting high catalytic activity and improved catalytic durability
The catalytic portion includes a plurality of distinct layers of catalytic material, which layers may be deposited through atomic layer deposition techniques. The catalyst may have a selectivity for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes of over 50%. The catalyst may be incorporated in a reactor such as a fluidized bed reactor or a single pass reactor.
Compositions and methods of preparing a bimetallic alloy having enhanced electrocatalytic properties are provided
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 9,246,177
Bimetallic alloyelectrocatalysts with multilayered platinum-skin surfaces (ANL-IN-10-109)
The composition comprises a PtNi substrate having a surface layer, a near-surface layer, and an inner layer, where the surface layer comprises a nickel-depleted composition, such that the surface layer comprises a platinum skin having at least one atomic layer of platinum.
Schematic illustration of the nanosegregated Pt(111)-Skin near surface atomic layers with oscillatory compositional profile.
The Invention
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a method for creating a new class of platinum multi-metallic catalysts that are not only compositionally stable but also exhibit an advantageous electronic structure with enhanced catalytic properties.
Using this process, researchers created an alloy of platinum and one or more transition metals (such as cobalt, nickel, iron, titanium, chromium and others). Next, they modified the near surface layers by annealing, which induces formations known as nanosegregated surfaces. These surfaces vastly improve performance by overcoming kinetic limitations for the oxygen reduction reaction. The result is a catalyst particularly advantageous for use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
In the energy industry, fuel cells are rapidly becoming an important component. However, the high cost of manufacturing the platinum catalyst—a required element in a fuel cell—makes fuel cells relatively non-competitive in the commercial world. So far, such catalysts have not been able to demonstrate the performance and life expectancy consistent with a fuel cell’s long-term operation. Argonne’s invention overcomes this limitation.
Benefits
Enhanced catalytic properties that drive improved performance,
Greater stability
Greater cost-effectiveness
Applications and Industries
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Energy storage devices, such as metal-air batteries
Massimiliano “Max” Delferro is a chemist and group leader of the Catalysis Science Program in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division at Argonne National Laboratory.
John Low is a computational material scientist with expertise in quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo. He has improved materials used in catalysis, separations, gas storage, steel making, energy storage, and additive manufacturing.
