Abstract
Researchers at the University of Central Florida
have developed a novel universal technique for fabricating precious metal
catalysts that exhibit both high catalytic activity and excellent thermal
stability. UCF’s Reverse Loading and Metal Shuttling Strategy offers a low-cost solution to traditional fabrication
methods, such as those that require complex preparation procedures or are
limited to a strong match between the metals and specific
supports. The new technique may enable manufacturers to meet more stringent
vehicle emission standards in the future. For example, the
technology could be used to achieve more than 90 percent
catalytic conversion at temperatures below 150 C in the removal of
pollutants like carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrocarbons (HCs) and nitrogen oxide
(NO).
Technical Details
The UCF invention is a method of fabricating precious metal
catalysts using a novel reverse loading and metal shuttling technique that
prevents the metals from sintering at high temperatures while maintaining
excellent low-temperature activity. The
precious metal can include platinum (Pt), palladium
(Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), gold (Au) or
a precious metal alloy. In one example, an inverse
loading process encapsulates precious
metals between reducible metal oxides and irreducible metal oxides. A calcination
process applied to the sandwich-like catalyst structure shuttles the precious
metals to the surface of the reducible metal oxides. The resulting precious
metal catalytic structure exhibits unique catalytically active sites, high
thermal stability, and excellent low-temperature
catalytic activity (for example, catalytic activity at temperatures at or below
approximately 150 C which help extend the life of exhaust system).
Partnering Opportunity
The research team
is looking for partners to develop the technology further
for commercialization.
Stage of Development
Prototype available.
Benefit
Low cost, facile preparation procedures Enables high thermal stability and excellent low-temperature catalytic activity (for example, temperatures at or below approximately 150 C)Works universally with precious metals or metal oxide supports Can be implemented for large-scale industrial applicationsMarket Application
Chemical refineryCatalyst supplyAutomotive manufacturing
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