10-Atom Platinum Clusters for CO Oxidation Catalysts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional platinum catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation are costly due to unnecessary use of interior platinum atoms, and existing nanoclusters have not optimized efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Depositing 10-atom platinum clusters on an amorphous alumina thin film supported by a silicon wafer, with a mixed metal approach using platinum and silver to maximize surface exposure and interaction, reducing platinum usage while maintaining reactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large deposits or films of platinum are used to facilitate CO oxidation reaction, then catalytic activity is maintained, but the amount of non-participating platinum atoms increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous platinum film into discrete nanoclusters containing exactly 10 platinum atoms. This segmentation ensures that all platinum atoms are exposed on the surface and participate in catalysis, eliminating the bulk interior atoms that do not contribute to reaction activity while maintaining overall catalytic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates clusters where every platinum atom has surface exposure and participates in catalysis, giving each local unit (cluster) uniform high-quality catalytic activity. This contrasts with bulk films where interior atoms have different (non-catalytic) properties compared to surface atoms.
2Quantity of substance
If platinum clusters are reduced to minimize platinum usage, then cost is reduced, but catalytic reactivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and exploits the optimal parameter of cluster size, specifically finding that 10-atom clusters represent a critical size where quantum effects and surface exposure are maximized. This specific size parameter provides peak catalytic activity per platinum atom, resolving the trade-off between quantity reduction and reactivity maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses minimal amounts of expensive platinum in the form of small, stable 10-atom clusters that are sufficiently long-lived for practical applications. These clusters provide maximum catalytic activity with the smallest possible platinum quantity, making the catalyst economically viable.
3Quantity of substance
If mixed metal clusters with less platinum are used, then cost is reduced, but catalytic activity may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite clusters containing both platinum and silver atoms in specific configurations. The silver atoms provide structural support and additional catalytic sites, while platinum atoms provide the primary catalytic function. This composite structure maintains high turnover rates with reduced platinum content by leveraging the synergistic effects of both metals.
Solution Approach 2:
Silver atoms act as intermediaries that facilitate the catalytic reaction by providing alternative pathways or stabilizing transition states. The silver-platinum interface creates new active sites that enhance overall catalytic activity while reducing the number of platinum atoms required.
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 solution achieves a significantly higher turnover rate and reduced catalyst cost by ensuring nearly all platinum atoms participate in reactions, with the mixed metal clusters demonstrating comparable activity to pure platinum at a lower platinum content.
Implementation Method 1
The catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) is important in the automotive industry for pollution control
Implementation Method 2
platinum catalysts are used in these applications to remove carbon monoxide from the systems by transforming it into carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
This sharing of valency eliminates poisoning of the cluster metal with carbon monoxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a catalyst defined in part by a conductive substrate; a film overlaying a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of metal clusters supported by the layer, wherein each cluster comprises between 8 and 11 atoms. Further provided is a catalyst defined in part by a conductive substrate; a layer overlaying a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of metal clusters supported by the layer, wherein each cluster comprises at least two metals.