Platinum-Carbon Catalyst with Strong Pt-Support Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current platinum-carbon catalysts in fuel cells face instability due to weak interactions between metallic platinum particles and the carbon support, leading to poor stability and uniformity, which hampers their performance in oxygen reduction reactions.

Innovation Solution

A platinum-carbon catalyst with a carbonaceous support where at least 50% of metallic platinum particles have a contact angle of 70° or less, prepared using a process involving ultrasonic dispersion of a carbonaceous material, platinum precursor, and a complexing agent in a dihydric alcohol and water medium, followed by pH adjustment and reduction with an acidic organic reducing agent, enhancing the interaction between platinum and the support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional synthesis methods are used to prepare platinum-carbon catalysts, then the catalyst can be produced, but the interaction between metallic platinum particles and carbon support is weak, leading to poor stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carbon support is pre-modified with carboxyl groups before platinum deposition, creating anchoring sites that enhance the interaction between platinum particles and support. This preliminary functionalization ensures strong metal-support interaction from the beginning of the synthesis process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Carboxyl groups on the carbon support act as intermediaries that bridge the metallic platinum particles and the carbon support matrix, facilitating stronger bonding and preventing particle detachment during fuel cell operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional synthesis methods are used, then catalyst production is possible, but the uniformity and batch stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst uniformityVSAvoidbatch production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The synthesis method controls critical parameters including pH value (adjusted to 2-3), temperature (60-80°C), and molar ratios of reagents to ensure consistent platinum particle formation. These controlled parameters achieve uniform catalyst properties across batches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional mechanical mixing and high-energy processing are replaced with a chemical self-assembly process where platinum precursors spontaneously reduce and deposit on pre-functionalized carbon support, yielding uniform distribution without mechanical aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the contact angle between platinum particles and carbon support is large, then the catalyst may be easier to manufacture, but the interaction strength is reduced, lowering oxygen reduction activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst fabrication easeVSAvoidoxygen reduction activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carbon support is functionalized with carboxyl groups at specific locations where platinum particles will deposit, creating localized high-interaction zones. This local functionalization ensures strong binding at the metal-support interface without requiring complete modification of the entire support surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 process results in a platinum-carbon catalyst with improved oxygen reduction activity and stability, achieving high uniformity and batch stability, with enhanced electrochemical active surface area and mass specific activity.

Implementation Method 1

a carbonaceous material, a platinum precursor, a complexing agent and a dispersion medium are dispersed using ultrasonic wave to produce a first dispersion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic dispersion: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a reducing agent is added to the second dispersion, so that the reducing agent comes into contact with the platinum precursor in the second dispersion for a reduction reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction reaction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS20250015312A1Platinum-carbon catalyst and preparation process and use thereof and hydrogen fuel cell

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORP

AI summary

The present invention discloses a platinum-carbon catalyst and preparation process and use thereof and a hydrogen fuel cell with the platinum-carbon catalyst. A platinum-carbon catalyst contains a carbonaceous support and metallic platinum particles supported on the carbonaceous support. At least 50% of metallic platinum particles have a contact angle relative to the carbonaceous support of 70° or less. According to the platinum-carbon catalyst of the present invention, the metallic platinum particles have relatively good dispersion on the carbonaceous support, the catalyst has highly uniform cluster particles, and the metallic platinum and the carbonaceous support have a strong interaction each other, showing an improved electrochemical active surface area and a superior electrochemical stability. The process for preparing the platinum-carbon catalyst according to the present invention has the characteristics of batch repeatability and easy industrial scale-up, and can realize batch production of the platinum carbon catalyst.