Tianjin University develops faster method for platinum-group catalyst synthesis
Researchers at Tianjin University have developed a new millisecond-scale thermal pulse technology for synthesizing platinum-group catalysts. The method significantly reduces production time and energy consumption.
TIANJIN, China – A research team from Tianjin University published new findings in the journal Science on July 10, 2026, presenting a millisecond-scale thermal pulse technology. This method enables ultra-fast synthesis and precise control of platinum-group catalysts.
The new strategy, termed "transient assembly," allows for the creation of core-shell catalysts. This offers a path to improve the performance of hydrogen fuel cells and advance environmentally friendly energy technologies. Traditional methods, often involving lengthy high-temperature annealing processes, are time-consuming, energy-intensive, and difficult to control precisely.
The Tianjin University team successfully reduced a multi-step process that typically takes several hours to just a few minutes. The technology also allows for precise atomic-level control of the platinum shell's thickness, optimizing catalytic activity. Energy consumption for synthesis per unit mass dropped by 90 percent, and the use of hazardous reagents was avoided.
Catalysts produced using the new method achieved an output of 15.2 kilowatts per gram of platinum in hydrogen fuel cells. Researchers suggest the technology has potential for broader applications in green hydrogen production and advanced chemical synthesis.