Pt-Ru Catalysts Prepared by a Modified Polyol Process for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Supported PtRu/C catalysts used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) were prepared by a new modified polyol method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammograms (CVs) were carried out to characterize the morphology, composition and the electrochemical properties of the PtRu/C catalyst. The results revealed that the PtRu nanoparticles with small average particle size (≈2.5 nm), and highly dispersed on the carbon support. The PtRu/C catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity and anti poisoned performance than that of the JM PtRu/C. It is imply that the modified polyol method is efficient for PtRu/C catalyst preparation.

Rapid synthesis of highly active Pt/C catalysts with various metal loadings from single batch platinum colloid

A series of Pt/C catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs) with various metal loadings is synthesized by a microwave-assisted polyol process via mixing an extremely stable platinum colloid(> 3 months’ shelf life) from single batch preparation with activated carbon ethylene glycol suspension.21 wt%, 42 wt% and 61 wt% Pt loadings are employed to showcase the advantages of the improved polyol process. The ultraviolet(UV)–visible spectra and ζ-potential measurements are conducted to monitor the wet chemistry process during catalyst preparation. The powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) characterizations are carried out on catalysts. The catalyst activities are investigated using electrochemical and single cell tests. The stability of Pt nanoparticle colloid is explored by ORR, cyclic voltammetry(CV) and ζ-potential measurements. The TEM results show the Pt particle sizes of the colloid, and the sizes of the 21 wt%, 42 wt% and 61 wt%Pt/C samples are 2.1–3.9 nm. Because of the high Pt dispersion, the Pt/C catalysts exhibit superior electroactivity toward ORR. In addition, four 61 wt% Pt/C catalysts made from the Pt colloid with 0–3 months’ shelf life show almost the same performance, which exhibits superior stability of the Pt colloid system without surfactant protection.

Single Step Microwave Assisted Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver, Copper and Silver-Copper Nanoparticles

Copper and silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized in two minutes at 175°C in a one-step synthesis using a modified polyol (ethylene glycol) method and a microwave heating process. We successfully synthesized spherical Silver (Ag) and Copper nanoparticles (CuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 10 nm, as well as irregular silver-copper nanoparticles (AgCuNP) with a crystallite size of less than 15 nm, as confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The successful synthesis of AgCuNP with 1:1 molar ratio and constituted by 51.74% of copper and 48.26% of silver was corroborated using the Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping technique. The AgNP and AgCuNP exhibited more stability in suspension, in comparison to CuNP, as observed by continuously monitoring the absorbance with UV-Vis spectroscopy for 12 days. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNP, CuNP, and AgCuNP were determined, against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. The obtained MIC and MBC values indicate that AgCu nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal properties greater than its constituents. On the contrary, antifungal activity of AgCuNP against yeast was not observed.