Introduction

Platform for the production of highly controlled, pure and catalytic nanomaterials with “green” synthetic procedures. The precise tuning of the shape and size of the nanomaterials provides higher performances, long term sustainability and environmentally friendly operations. The absence of sticky molecules together with the high quality of the surface renders these nanocrystals ideal candidates in catalysis/ electrocatalysis. The researchers have proved that these Pt catalysts offer significantly enhanced performance in hydrogen full polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Technical features

The discovery of a new “green” synthetic procedure and a microwave-assisted scale-up process to obtain octahedral Pt nanocrystals by only using sodium citrate and ascorbic acid in aqueous environment coupled with accurate control of the reduction rate, is presented. Fine tuning the size of the nanocrystal is obtained by modifying the precursor concentration and the seed size. Nanocrystals with size as low as 3 nm and high percentage of {111} facets can be massively produced. These Pt catalysts offer significantly enhanced performance in hydrogen full polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Possible Applications

• Hydrogen fuel cells;
• Catalysis;
• Electrocatalysis;
• Fuel cell applications.

Advantages

• Superior performance in hydrogen fuel cells;
• Biocompatible;
• Surfactant-free, polymer-free;
• Superior catalytic activity.