Palladium-Based Catalysts for Fuels Electrooxidation Prepared by Sacrificial Support Method (SSM)

Background: Metals and their alloys are well-known materials for various applications in catalysis particularly in the field of fuel cell technologies. However currently utilized metal and metal alloy fuel cell catalysts continue to possess disadvantages including low oxidation activity low durability during fuel cell operation low utilization in case of non-supported metals or carbon corrosion in case of supported metals. Platinum group metals (PGMs) are key research targets in optimizing efficiency of fuel cell catalysts. There exists a present market need particularly in the fields of fuel cell and fuel cell systems technologies for PGM and non-PGM catalysts with increased stability durability and oxidation activity at decreased cost. University of New Mexico researchers are turning their attention to palladium a platinum group metal. Palladium-based catalysts prepared by a sacrificial support method have shown considerable promise as highly effective durable low-cost fuel cell system catalysts. Technology Description: University of New Mexico researchers have developed a method of preparing palladium-based catalysts by sacrificial support method where palladium and other metal precursors are deposited on the surface silica followed by either thermal or chemical reduction. Applications: Fuel cell and fuel cell systems applications