Tianjin University Researchers Develop Fast, Precise Method for Platinum-Group Catalyst Synthesis
Researchers at Tianjin University have developed a millisecond-scale thermal pulse technique for the rapid and precise synthesis of platinum-group metal catalysts. This breakthrough could significantly improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells.
A research team from Tianjin University has introduced a novel millisecond-scale thermal pulse technology for the ultrafast synthesis and precise control of platinum-group metal catalysts. Published in the journal Science, the method enables the creation of "core-shell" structured catalysts with controllable atomic layer thickness.
The technique, termed "transient assembly," is expected to enhance the performance of hydrogen fuel cells and advance green energy technologies. Traditional methods for producing these catalysts often involve lengthy, energy-intensive, and difficult-to-control high-temperature annealing processes.
This new approach drastically reduces synthesis time from hours to mere minutes, while also cutting energy consumption by up to 90 percent per unit mass. It further avoids the use of hazardous or highly polluting reagents. In hydrogen fuel cell tests, the synthesized catalysts demonstrated a power density of 15.2 kilowatts per gram of platinum and showed excellent durability.
The technology is anticipated to find broader applications in green hydrogen production, high-end chemical manufacturing, environmental catalysis, fine chemicals, and pharmaceutical synthesis. Professor Hu Wenbin noted that the technique offers a new pathway for the precise and efficient synthesis of noble metal catalysts with fine structures.