Core / shell-type catalyst particles comprising metal or ceramic core materials and methods for their preparation

US8227372B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UMICORE AG & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Marco Lopez · Frankfurt, DE
• Michael Lennartz · Frankfurt, DE
• Dan V. Goia · Potsdam, US
• Carsten Becker · Weingarten, DE
• Stéphanie Chevalliot · Val-de-Reuil, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 27, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2991
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention is directed to core/shell type catalyst particles comprising a Mcore/Mshell structure with Mcore=inner particle core and Mshell=outer particle shell, wherein the medium diameter of the catalyst particle (dcore+shell) is in the range of 20 to 100 nm, 5 preferably in the range of 20 to 50 nm. The thickness of the outer shell (tshell) is about 5 to 20% of the diameter of the inner particle core of said catalyst particle, preferably comprising at least 3 atomic layers. The inner particle core (Mcore) of the particles comprises metal or ceramic materials, whereas the material of the outer shell (Mshell) comprises precious metals and/or alloys thereof. The core/shell type catalyst particles are preferably supported on suitable support materials such as carbon black and can be used as electrocatalysts for fuel cells and for other catalytic applications.