Platinum Catalyst Precursor Thermal Aging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Supported platinum catalysts in prior art lose activity due to sintering at high temperatures, leading to rapid thermal aging, which reduces their catalytic performance over time.

Innovation Solution

A process involving impregnating an open-pored carrier material with platinum sulfite acid and calcining it under a protective gas atmosphere, followed by reducing the platinum component to oxidation state 0, results in a catalyst with increased activity and reduced thermal aging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If supported platinum catalysts are used at high temperatures, then catalytic activity is maintained, but thermal aging occurs due to sintering of platinum particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidcatalytic activity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical state of platinum from metallic (oxidation state 0) to oxidized form (PtO2, oxidation state +4) during calcination, and controls the reduction process to create highly dispersed platinum particles. This parameter change in oxidation state and particle dispersion resolves the contradiction by preventing sintering while maintaining high-temperature catalytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite catalyst system combining platinum particles with a specific carrier material (such as alumina, silica, or titania) with controlled surface area and porosity. This composite structure prevents platinum particle sintering at high temperatures while maintaining high catalytic activity, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and activity retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If platinum particles are highly dispersed to increase catalytic activity, then activity increases, but particles tend to sinter at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidparticle dispersion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calcination of the platinum-containing carrier material under controlled atmospheric conditions before the final reduction step. This preliminary action creates a stable oxidized platinum precursor distribution that prevents sintering during subsequent reduction and high-temperature operation, while maintaining high dispersion and catalytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inert or reducing atmospheric conditions during the calcination and reduction processes to control platinum particle formation and prevent unwanted sintering. This controlled atmospheric environment allows highly dispersed platinum particles to form and remain stable, resolving the contradiction between activity and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional platinum catalyst production methods are used, then manufacturing is simple, but catalysts show rapid thermal aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the production process by controlling the oxidation state of platinum during calcination and reduction steps, and by controlling the temperature and atmosphere parameters. These parameter changes result in highly dispersed platinum particles that resist sintering, extending service life while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a multi-step process (impregnation, calcination, reduction, stabilization) that continuously controls platinum particle formation and distribution. This continuous control ensures highly dispersed particles are formed and stabilized, preventing thermal aging and extending service life without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 resulting platinum catalyst maintains high catalytic activity over long service lives, even at high temperatures, due to reduced sintering and sulfur content, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.

Implementation Method 1

impregnating an open-pored carrier material with platinum sulfite acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpregnation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

calcining the impregnated carrier material under a protective gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalcination: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the carrier material is then calcined in a further step, whereby the noble metal can be converted into an oxide form by the thermal treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 4

the noble metal component is converted into the catalytically active, highly disperse noble metal of oxidation state 0, for example using hydrogen, carbon monoxide or wet chemical reducing agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 5

they lose activity over the course of their use due to sintering of the noble metal particles into larger units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP2291239B1Method for producing a platinum catalyst precursor
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 CLARIANT PRODUKTE (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH GROUP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
  • EP2291239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2291239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2291239B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a precursor of a supported platinum catalyst. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for producing a platinum catalyst precursor by which means supported platinum catalysts with a relatively high activity can be produced. To this end, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) an open-cell carrier material is impregnated with platinum sulfite acid; and b) the impregnated zeolite material is calcinated under a protective gas.