Copper-Cerium Oxide (Cu-CeO2) Nanoparticles Engineered with a High Defect Density for Redox Catalysis
Lead Inventors: Siu-Wai ChanProblem or Unmet Need:The water-gas shift is a reaction that produces hydrogen in fuel cells and thus critical for a possible future hydrogen economy. However, low efficiency of catalytic metal nanoparticles is a major problem in this reaction. Metal oxide nanoparticles such as copper cerium oxide have been shown as promising catalysts and catalytic activity has been shown related to defect density. A high density of defects is an important characteristic of catalytically effective materials, especially for CO oxidation. However, current research has not documented extended defects in details. Moreover, the current methods to generate defects are generally expensive and difficult, requiring extreme conditions and/or demanding processes.This invention presents a straightforward method to produce nanoparticle catalysts with a high defect density. It improves the catalytic activity by introducing extended defects in the particle structure. Defects in the nanoparticles were imaged with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Catalytic testing has determined the product to be an effective catalyst for the water-gas shift reaction. The technology is developed in the group led by Dr. Siu-Wai Chan, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and 2008 Society Fellow of The American Ceramic Society. A related technology was presented at North American Catalysis Society 20th North American Meeting.
This technique presents a straightforward method to produce nanoparticle catalysts with a high defect density This technique uses a totally aqueous procedure, thus it can save costs in purchasing and disposing organic solvents and reagents This technique uses low temperature process (40 degree Celsius), thus it does not require large energy input The average yield is high The nanoparticles are uniform in sizeOpportunities: Sponsored research funding of continued research on elemental mapping analysis, building a in-house catalytic reactor system to test the catalysis activities, and further structure analysis Licensing
Can be used as effective catalyst in water gas shift reaction for generating hydrogen in fuel cells The nanoparticles are a potential catalyst for other redox reactions This catalyst can be used in eliminating nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel exhaust It also has usage in cold starting of automobile engine/lasers/hydrocarbon conversion reactors; air filters for conversion of CO and/or indoor volatile organic compounds/smoking articles The technique can be a cost effective method to prepare nanoparticles with significant extended defects The technique can be used as an excellent substitute of current expensive processes producing uniform generation of defects in nanoparticles
This invention presents a straightforward method to produce nanoparticle catalysts with a high defect density. It improves the catalytic activity by introducing extended defects in the particle structure. Defects in the nanoparticles were image...
USA
