Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst structure includes providing a catalyst support structure having a core and an inner carbide film on the core, depositing catalyst nanoparticles on the catalyst support structure, and forming an outer carbide film on the catalyst support structure after the step of depositing catalyst nanoparticles. The outer carbide film is preferentially formed on the catalyst support structure compared to the catalyst particles.

Abstract: A supported catalyst includes a plurality of support particles that each include a carbon support and a layer disposed around the carbon support. The layer is selected from a metal carbide, metal oxycarbide, and combinations thereof. A catalytic material is disposed on the layers of the support particles.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a platinum alloy particle includes a core comprising a material that is different from platinum. A shell on the core comprises platinum. The shell has a plurality of facets. At least a majority of the facets are {111} facets.

Abstract: A catalyst support for an electrochemical system includes a high surface area refractory material core structure and boron-doped diamond. The BDD modifies the high surface area refractory material core structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst support includes a fluoride-doped metal oxide/phosphate support structure and a catalyst layer, supported on such fluoride-doped support structure. In one example, the support structure is a sub-stechiometric titanium oxide and/or indium-tin oxide (ITO) partially coated or mixed with a fluoride-doped metal oxide or metal phosphate. In another example, the support structure is fluoride-doped and mixed with at least one of low surface carbon, boron-doped diamond, carbides, borides, and silicides.

Abstract: A method of generating electrical power includes flowing hydrogen across an anode, splitting the hydrogen into protons and electrons using a catalyst attached to the anode, directing the electrons to a circuit to produce electrical power, flowing oxygen across a cathode, splitting the oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms using a cathode catalyst, passing the protons through an electrolyte to the cathode, and combining the protons with oxygen to form water. The cathode catalyst includes a plurality of nanoparticles having terraces formed of platinum, and corner regions and edge regions formed of a second metal.

Abstract: A catalytic nanoparticle includes a porous, hollow core and an atomically thin layer of platinum atoms on the core. The core is a porous palladium, palladium-M or platinum-M core, where M is selected from the group consisting of gold, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhenium, rhodium and ruthenium.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst structure includes providing a catalyst support structure having a core and an inner carbide film on the core, depositing catalyst nanoparticles on the catalyst support structure, and forming an outer carbide film on the catalyst support structure after the step of depositing catalyst nanoparticles. The outer carbide film is preferentially formed on the catalyst support structure compared to the catalyst particles.

Abstract: A natural gas reforming catalyst includes a metal core and rhodium deposited on the metal core. A natural gas reformer includes a hydrocarbon inlet, a reforming catalyst for generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon and water and a hydrogen outlet. The reforming catalyst includes a metal core and a rhodium layer deposited on the metal core. A method for preparing a natural gas reforming catalyst includes adding a rhodium compound and a metal core to a reaction vessel and depositing the rhodium compound on the metal core.

Abstract: A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen and removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle. A method includes synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant. The surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle. The method also includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen to remove the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.

Abstract: A catalyst structure for an electrochemical cell includes a catalyst support structure, catalyst particles and an outer carbide film. The catalyst particles are deposited on the catalyst support structure. The outer carbide film is formed on the catalyst support structure. The outer carbide film surrounds the catalyst particles.

Abstract: A catalytic particle for a fuel cell includes a palladium nanoparticle core and a platinum shell. The palladium nanoparticle core has an increased area of {100} or {111} surfaces compared to a cubo-octahedral. The platinum shell is on an outer surface of the palladium nanoparticle core. The platinum shell is formed by deposition of an atomically thin layer of platinum atoms covering the majority of the outer surface of the palladium nanoparticle.

Abstract: An example fuel cell electrode forming method includes covering at least a portion of a copper monolayer with a liquid platinum and replacing the copper monolayer to form a platinum monolayer from the liquid platinum.

Abstract: A method for forming catalytic nanoparticles includes forming core-shell catalytic nanoparticles and processing the core-shell catalytic nanoparticles. The core-shell catalytic nanoparticles have a palladium core enclosed by a platinum shell. The core-shell catalytic nanoparticles are processed to increase the percentage of the surface area of the core-shell catalytic nanoparticles covered by the platinum shell.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst material includes hindering the reaction rate of a displacement reaction and controlling the formation of platinum clusters, where an atomic layer of metal atoms is displaced with platinum atoms, to produce a catalyst material that includes an atomic layer of the platinum atoms.

Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte and palladium catalytic nanoparticles. The electrolyte is positioned between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The palladium catalytic nanoparticles are positioned between the electrolyte and one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The palladium catalytic nanoparticles have a {100} enriched structure. A majority of the surface area of the palladium catalytic nanoparticles is exposed to the UEA environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell (70) having an anode (72), a cathode (78) and an electrolyte (76) between the anode (72) and the cathode (78) includes a cathode catalyst (80) formed of a plurality of nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle (20) has a plurality of terraces (26) formed of platinum surface atoms (14), and a plurality of edge (28) and corner regions (29) formed of atoms from a second metal (30)—The cathode catalyst may be formed by combining a platinum nanoparticle with a metal salt in a solution. Ions from the second metal react with platinum and replace platinum atoms on the nanoparticle. The second metal atoms at the corner and edge regions of the nanoparticle, as well as at any surface defects, result in a more stable catalyst structure. In some embodiments, the fuel cell (70) is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the nanoparticles are tetrahedron-shaped. In some embodiments, the fuel cell (70) is a phosphoric acid fuel cell and the nanoparticles are cubic-shaped.

Abstract: A supported catalyst includes a plurality of support particles that each include a carbon support and a layer disposed around the carbon support. The layer is selected from a metal carbide, metal oxycarbide, and combinations thereof. A catalytic material is disposed on the layers of the support particles.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst comprises a support having a core arranged on the support. In one example, the core includes palladium nanoparticles. A layer, which is gold in one example, is arranged on the core. A platinum overlayer is arranged on the gold layer. The intermediate gold layer greatly increases the mass activity of the platinum compared to catalysts in which platinum is deposited directly onto the palladium without any intermediate gold layer.

Abstract: A catalytic nanoparticle includes a porous, hollow core and an atomically thin layer of platinum atoms on the core. The core is a porous palladium, palladium-M or platinum-M core, where M is selected from the group consisting of gold, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhenium, rhodium and ruthenium.