A analysis staff in Korea has synthesized metallic nanoparticles that may drastically enhance the efficiency of hydrogen gasoline cell catalysts through the use of semiconductor manufacturing know-how. The Korea Institute of Science and Know-how (KIST) introduced that the analysis staff led by Dr. Sung Jong Yoo of the Hydrogen Gasoline Cell Analysis Middle has succeeded in synthesizing nanoparticles by a bodily methodology quite than the prevailing chemical reactions through the use of the sputtering know-how, which is a skinny metallic movie deposition know-how utilized in semiconductor manufacturing.

Metallic nanoparticles have been studied in varied fields over the previous few a long time. Just lately, metallic nanoparticles have been attracting consideration as a important catalyst for hydrogen gasoline cells and water electrolysis methods to supply hydrogen. Metallic nanoparticles are primarily ready via complicated chemical reactions. As well as, they’re ready utilizing natural substances dangerous to the setting and people. Subsequently, further prices are inevitably incurred for his or her therapy, and the synthesis situations are difficult. Subsequently, a brand new nanoparticle synthesis methodology that may overcome the shortcomings of the prevailing chemical synthesis is required to determine the hydrogen vitality regime.

The sputtering course of utilized by the KIST analysis staff is a know-how that coats a skinny metallic movie throughout the semiconductor manufacturing course of. On this course of, plasma is used to chop giant metals into nanoparticles, that are then deposited on a substrate to type a skinny movie. The analysis staff ready nanoparticles utilizing “glucose,” a particular substrate that prevented the transformation of the metallic nanoparticles to a skinny movie through the use of plasma throughout the course of. The synthesis methodology used the precept of bodily vapor deposition utilizing plasma quite than chemical reactions. Subsequently, metallic nanoparticles could possibly be synthesized utilizing this easy methodology, overcoming the constraints of the prevailing chemical synthesis strategies.

The event of recent catalysts has been hindered as a result of the prevailing chemical synthesis strategies restricted the forms of metals that could possibly be used as nanoparticles. As well as, the synthesis situations should be modified relying on the kind of metallic. Nevertheless, it has turn out to be attainable to synthesize nanoparticles of extra various metals via the developed synthesis methodology. As well as, if this know-how is concurrently utilized to 2 or extra metals, alloy nanoparticles of varied compositions could be synthesized. This could result in the event of high-performance nanoparticle catalysts primarily based on alloys of varied compositions.

The KIST analysis staff synthesized a platinum-cobalt-vanadium alloy nanoparticle catalyst utilizing this know-how and utilized for the oxygen discount response in hydrogen gasoline cell electrodes. Because of this, the catalyst exercise was seven and thrice larger than these of platinum and platinum-cobalt alloy catalysts which are commercially used as catalysts for hydrogen gasoline cells, respectively. Moreover, the researchers investigated the impact of the newly added vanadium on different metals within the nanoparticles. They discovered that vanadium improved the catalyst efficiency by optimizing the platinum–oxygen bonding vitality via laptop simulation.

Dr. Sung Jong Yoo of KIST commented, “Via this analysis, now we have developed a synthesis methodology primarily based on a novel idea, which could be utilized to analysis targeted on metallic nanoparticles towards the event of water electrolysis methods, photo voltaic cells, petrochemicals.” He added, “We’ll attempt to determine an entire hydrogen economic system and develop carbon-neutral know-how by making use of alloy nanoparticles with new buildings, which has been troublesome to implement, to [develop] eco-friendly vitality applied sciences together with hydrogen gasoline cells.”

Offered by
Nationwide Analysis Council of Science & Know-how