. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
Energy researchers discover new structure for bimetallic catalysts
by Staff Writers
Newark, DE (SPX) Oct 08, 2015


Dion Vlachos of the University of Delaware's Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation has published a paper in Nature Communications showing that an imperfect surface may produce more effective catalysts in bimetallic surfaces. The finding opens new possibilities in materials design. Image courtesy Kathy F. Atkinson/University of Delaware. For a larger version of this image please go here.

In the world of catalytic science and technology, the hunt is always on for catalysts that are inexpensive, highly active, and environmentally friendly. Recent efforts have focused on combining two metals, often in a structure where a core of one metal is surrounded by an atom-thick layer of a second one.

The properties and performance of these so-called bimetallic core-shell catalysts can be superior to those of either of the constituent metals, but determining how to take advantage of this synergy can be challenging.

Dion Vlachos, who directs the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation at the University of Delaware, uses computational techniques to predict how these nanoscale materials will behave, and he recently made a surprising discovery about the structure of bimetallic catalysts.

"We thought that the shell had to form a perfect concentric circle around the core," he says. "But it turns out that the apparent imperfection of a patched surface actually offers better performance and ease of synthesis."

The results of the work, which was done with postdoctoral researcher Wei Guo, are documented in a paper, "Patched Bimetallic Surfaces Are Active Catalysts for Ammonia Decomposition," published in Nature Communications on Oct. 7.

Vlachos and Guo performed multi-scale simulations of the decomposition of ammonia (NH3) on various nickel-platinum catalysts and found that patches of the "guest metal" - in this case, nickel - were very effective at creating and sustaining dual active sites.

"What we have is bifunctional activity, where flat nickel 'terraces' catalyze the breaking of nitrogen-hydrogen bonds, and nickel 'edges' drive the pairing of nitrogen atoms," says Vlachos, who is also the Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

He explains that the decomposition of ammonia is often used as a representative reaction for predicting new catalytic materials and understanding why some reactions are sensitive on a particular material's structure.

Other advantages of studying this reaction include the need to find less-energy-intensive catalysts to break down ammonia, which is the primary chemical in most fertilizers, as well as ammonia's ability to serve as a carbon-free energy carrier for fuel cells.

Future work will investigate the feasibility of patched surfaces for additional bimetallic catalysts and other reactions, and Vlachos is optimistic about the potential of the approach.

"What we thought of as a 'defective' catalyst was actually two to three orders of magnitude better than the so-called 'perfect catalyst,'" he says. "This finding opens up broad new horizons for materials design."

"Determining that the patched structure offers dual active sites means that we can 'tune' catalysts to various chemistries and metals," he adds. "Also, with just patches of the guest metal, rather than full coverage of the core, we can use less material, which could translate into reduced cost."


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
University of Delaware
Space Technology News - Applications and Research






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
TECH SPACE
Purdue professor solves 140-year fluid mechanics enigma
West Lafayette IN (SPX) Oct 08, 2015
A Purdue University researcher has solved a 140-year-old enigma in fluid mechanics: Why does a simple formula describe the seemingly complex physics for the behavior of elliptical particles moving through fluid? The findings have potential implications for research and industry because ellipsoid nanoparticles are encountered in various applications including those involving pharmaceuticals ... read more


TECH SPACE
Lunar Pox

Space startup confirms plans for robotic moon landings

Asteroids found to be the moon's main 'water supply'

Russian scientist hope to get rocket fuel, water, oxygen from Lunar ice

TECH SPACE
MRO imagery reveals Red Planet's stressed substrate

Geology Award Going to Mars Landing Site Expert at JPL

Terraforming the Red Planet: Nuclear Blasts Could Warm Mars for Humans?

NASA Lays the Groundwork for Homesteading in Space

TECH SPACE
Selected NASA Discovery Missions Include Three With PSI Ties

NASA Selects Investigations for Future Key Planetary Mission

Chinese herbal expert among Nobel medicine prize winners

Down to Earth and walking the line

TECH SPACE
Exhibition on "father of Chinese rocketry" opens in U.S.

The First Meeting of the U.S.-China Space Dialogue

China's new carrier rocket succeeds in 1st trip

China launches new type of carrier rocket: state media

TECH SPACE
Meet the International Docking Adapter

NASA extends Boeing contract for International Space Station

Russian launches cargo spaceship to the ISS

Successful re-entry of H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori5

TECH SPACE
Arianespace signs ARSAT to launch a new satellite for Argentina

Ariane 5 orbits Sky Muster and ARSAT-2

A satellite launcher for the Middle East

45th Space Wing supports ULA's 100th launch

TECH SPACE
The Most Stable Source of Light in the World

Earth-class planets likely have protective magnetic fields, aiding life

Stellar atmosphere can be used to predict the composition of rocky exoplanets

Watching an exoplanet in motion around a distant star

TECH SPACE
Caution: Shrinks when warm

Flipping molecular attachments amps up activity of CO2 catalyst

New system allows heightened purity of a metal binding compound

Redefining temperature with precision lasers









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.