Core-Shell Tin Catalyst for Low-Noble-Metal Fuel Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Noble metal catalysts, such as platinum, are scarce and expensive, limiting their use in large-scale fuel cell production, and their catalytic activity is not fully utilized due to the inside of the particles not participating in reactions.
Innovation Solution
A platinum-tin based catalyst with a core-shell structure is developed, where a thin platinum or palladium shell is deposited on a tin or lead core, enhancing catalytic activity and reducing costs by using inexpensive materials for the core and active metals for the shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If noble metal catalysts such as platinum are used, then catalytic activity is achieved, but cost increases and resource scarcity becomes a problem
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst particle is segmented into two distinct regions: a core particle made of inexpensive material and an outermost layer made of active noble metal. This segmentation allows the noble metal to be confined to only the surface region where catalytic reactions occur, minimizing the total amount of noble metal required while maintaining catalytic activity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the catalyst particle are assigned different materials with appropriate properties: the core uses inexpensive material that does not directly participate in catalytic reaction, while the outermost layer uses active noble metal that provides catalytic activity. This local differentiation optimizes both cost and performance.
2Productivity
If only the surface of noble metal particles is used for catalysis, then catalytic activity per unit mass is limited, but using more noble metal increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the catalyst into core and shell structures, the invention ensures that noble metal is concentrated exclusively in the outermost layer where catalytic reactions occur. This maximizes the utilization of noble metal at the surface, achieving high catalytic activity per unit mass of noble metal while minimizing the total amount required.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst is designed as a composite structure combining inexpensive core material with active noble metal outer layer. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high catalytic activity per unit mass of noble metal by ensuring all noble metal is positioned where it can participate in catalytic reactions, while the inexpensive core provides structural support without contributing to cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catalyst achieves a high electrochemical surface area and improved catalytic activity for fuel oxidation, reducing the amount of noble metal needed and lowering production costs while maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell converts chemical energy directly into electric energy by supplying a fuel and an oxidant to two electrically-connected electrodes and thus causing electrochemical oxidation of the fuel
Implementation Method 2
A fuel cell converts chemical energy directly into electric energy by supplying a fuel and an oxidant to two electrically-connected electrodes and thus causing electrochemical oxidation of the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprised of a tin (Sn) or lead (Pb) film, wherein the film is coated by a shell, wherein the shell: (a) is comprised of an active metal, and (b) is characterized by a thickness of less than 50 nm, is discloses herein. Further disclosed herein is the use of the composition for the oxidation of e.g., methanol, ethanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, methyl formate, and glucose.