Physical Sciences Division New Platform for Catalytic Design
Graphene and metal oxide combine to lock in power of platinum
catalyst A nanoparticle of indium tin oxide (green and red)
braces platinum nanoparticles (blue) on the surface of graphene
(black honeycomb) to make a hardier, more chemically active fuel
cell material. Enlarge Image Cross-section transmission electron
microscope (TEM) images of platinum and ITO nanoparticles on
graphene support. Enlarge Image Results: A more durable
catalytic material for fuel cells has been discovered by
scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Princeton
University, and Washington State University. They combined
graphene, a one-atom-thick honeycomb of carbon with good
electrical and structural properties, with metal oxide
nanoparticles to stabilize a fuel cell catalyst for better
catalytic action. "This material has great potential to make
fuel cells cheaper and last longer," said PNNL Catalytic chemist
Yong Wang. Why it matters: Fuel cells are a promising,