Reliable synthesis of block copolymer templated bimetallic nanoparticles
Research Mentor(s)
Rider, David A. (Materials scientist)
Description
The development of cheaper and easier to manufacture direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) is an important step towards a methanol economy, and towards a reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Platinum plays a crucial role as a catalyst in DMFC devices but is expensive, is prone to CO poisoning, and suffers from other significant disadvantages when used as a monometallic catalyst. Block copolymers (BCP) offer an effective and accessible means of constructing thin layer multi-metallic catalysts with tunable nanomorphologies. While the loading of single metals onto BCPs has been proven, the ability to precisely load two or more metals at a desired ratio with a high degree of repeatability is of importance if this technol. is to make it to large scale manufg. Through the characterization of device arrays via XPS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission and SEM (TEM and SEM) the Rider group hopes to build a standardized model for tuning metal ratios in bimetallic nanoparticles.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Nanocomposites (Materials)--Properties; Block copolymers; Nanoparticles--Synthesis
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Reliable synthesis of block copolymer templated bimetallic nanoparticles
The development of cheaper and easier to manufacture direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) is an important step towards a methanol economy, and towards a reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Platinum plays a crucial role as a catalyst in DMFC devices but is expensive, is prone to CO poisoning, and suffers from other significant disadvantages when used as a monometallic catalyst. Block copolymers (BCP) offer an effective and accessible means of constructing thin layer multi-metallic catalysts with tunable nanomorphologies. While the loading of single metals onto BCPs has been proven, the ability to precisely load two or more metals at a desired ratio with a high degree of repeatability is of importance if this technol. is to make it to large scale manufg. Through the characterization of device arrays via XPS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission and SEM (TEM and SEM) the Rider group hopes to build a standardized model for tuning metal ratios in bimetallic nanoparticles.