Pd-Pt Monolayer Coating for Faster Hydrogen Storage Kinetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage materials and electrocatalysts face challenges such as slow hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics, high costs, and inefficiencies, particularly in fuel cells, where materials like platinum are rare and expensive, and existing palladium-based systems do not simultaneously offer high efficiency, selectivity, and long-term applicability as both hydrogen storage and electrocatalysts.
Innovation Solution
A palladium-platinum system where palladium is covered with a thin layer of platinum monolayers, typically 1 to 3 monolayers, enhancing hydrogen sorption kinetics and stability, acting as both a hydrogen storage material and electrocatalyst with improved diffusion coefficients and prolonged applicability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If platinum is used as electrocatalyst in fuel cells, then catalytic efficiency is improved, but cost increases due to rarity and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by depositing platinum only as thin monolayers (1-3 layers) on palladium surfaces, concentrating the platinum catalytic function exactly where needed at the surface interface rather than using bulk platinum. This localized approach maintains catalytic efficiency while minimizing platinum quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining palladium bulk with platinum surface monolayers. The palladium provides structural stability and hydrogen storage capacity, while the platinum monolayers provide catalytic activity, achieving a cost-effective composite that outperforms pure platinum or pure palladium systems.
2Quantity of substance
If palladium is used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen absorption capacity is improved, but hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics remain slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces platinum monolayers as intermediary surfaces that mediate hydrogen absorption and desorption processes. The platinum layers facilitate faster hydrogen kinetics at the surface, acting as a catalyst that accelerates the overall hydrogen storage rate without compromising the palladium's hydrogen storage capacity.
3Speed
If bulk platinum is used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen adsorption speed is improved, but hydrogen permeability is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses extremely thin platinum films in the form of monolayers (1-3 atomic layers) deposited on palladium. These thin films are sufficiently permeable to allow hydrogen diffusion through to the palladium bulk for storage, while still providing the fast surface adsorption kinetics characteristic of platinum. The thin film structure resolves the contradiction between surface reactivity and bulk permeability.
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 palladium-platinum system significantly accelerates hydrogen absorption and desorption processes, maintaining bulk properties and stability, offering a cost-effective, highly selective, and efficient solution for fuel cells and hydrogen storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
the fastest hydrogen adsorption occurs at platinum
Implementation Method 2
palladium is more often used in practical applications. Palladium could also be used in combination with other metals. It has been proven to serve as an efficient catalyst to facilitate hydrogen insertion into other metal hydrides
Implementation Method 3
Certain materials and alloys in solid state have the ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen. These materials have been considered as potential hydrogen storage materials, due to their large hydrogen storage capacity. One of such solid-phase storage material is a metal or metal-alloy system that works by absorbing hydrogen through the formation of a metal hydride under specific temperature/pressure or electrochemical conditions
Implementation Method 4
Surface processes are considered to be dominant factors delaying the hydrogen insertion. Platinum monolayers deposited on palladium surface accelerate hydrogen absorption and desorption processes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to palladium-platinum system consisting of palladium layer covered with a platinum overlayer consisting of 1 to 10 platinum monolayers deposited on palladium for use as hydrogen storage. Such system can be used in fuel cells, hydride batteries and supercapacitors. A method for increasing hydrogen absorption kinetics of hydrogen absorption/desorption process is also disclosed.