Pt-Pd/C Alloy Catalyst for Low-Voltage Alcohol Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing bioethanol from biomass have low carbon yield, and existing fuel cell technologies using Pt-Pd catalysts do not efficiently oxidize alcohols at low voltages, limiting their catalytic activity and energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Development of a Pt-Pd/C nanoparticle catalyst with a lattice constant following Vegard's law, where Pd and Pt are in a solid solution state, enhancing electron transfer and catalytic activity for alcohol oxidation, and a method for producing a carrier-supported metal alloy using a solvent, electrically conductive material, and metal hydride reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Pt-Pd catalysts are used for alcohol oxidation in fuel cells, then catalytic activity is improved, but the reaction requires high voltage which limits energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the catalyst by controlling the lattice constant through composition ratio (following Vegard's law) and particle size (5-20 nm range), which modifies the electronic structure and surface properties to enable low-voltage oxidation while maintaining high catalytic activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite Pt-Pd alloy catalyst supported on carbon, where the synergistic interaction between Pt and Pd atoms in a solid solution state provides enhanced catalytic activity at lower operating voltages compared to pure Pt or Pd catalysts
2Productivity
If bioethanol is produced by alcoholic fermentation using sugar as raw material, then alcohol production is achieved, but carbon yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biological fermentation process with an electrochemical oxidation process using the developed Pt-Pd/C catalyst, which directly converts alcohols to carboxylic acids with higher carbon efficiency and allows for energy generation simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electrochemical oxidation with the Pt-Pd catalyst as a strong oxidation method that achieves complete conversion of alcohol to carboxylic acid with high carbon yield, avoiding the carbon loss inherent in fermentation processes
3Ease of manufacture
If Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles are produced by conventional methods, then catalyst is obtained, but the lattice constant deviates from Vegard's law indicating non-ideal solid solution structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the composition ratio of Pt and Pd to achieve the desired lattice constant according to Vegard's law, and controls particle size within 5-20 nm to ensure ideal solid solution formation with linear lattice constant-composition relationship
Solution Approach 2:
The patent follows the established Vegard's law relationship for lattice constant prediction based on composition, using this theoretical model as a guide to achieve the target crystal structure and optimize catalytic performance
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 exhibits high selective oxidation activity at low voltages, improving the production of ketones and carboxylic acids, such as pyruvic acid, and enables efficient energy conversion in fuel cells, achieving a carbon-neutral cycle.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the metal reagent with the electrically conductive material, and then reducing a product obtained by the reaction with a metal hydride reagent
Implementation Method 2
since metal elements are uniformly mixed and reacted and the electron transfer between Pd atoms and Pt atoms occurs easily
Implementation Method 3
an ideal surface structure and electronic state for activating alcohols are established in the Pt-Pd/C nanoparticles having a lattice constant estimated from the Vegard's law
Implementation Method 4
a fuel cell that includes an electrode catalyst on a surface or inside of an anode, or on the electrolyte side of the anode, and directly generates electricity when alcohols are brought into contact with the aforementioned catalyst and electrochemically oxidized to produce ketones or carboxylic acids
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode catalyst of the present invention contains an electrically conductive material carrying a metal or a metal oxide, and has an electrical conductivity at 30° C. of 1×10−13 Scm−1 or more.