2009 R&D 100 Winner
In order for fuel cells to be accepted on a commercial basis, there is a pressing need for new ways to optimize the efficiency of platinum (Pt) usage. Realizing the limitations of commercially available materials based on solid platinum nanospheres, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories took their R&D in a new direction. NanoCoral Dendritic platinum nanostructures for renewable energy applications are the first shaped Pt nanostructures, offering an opportunity for improving the cost and efficiency of fuel cells. The nanostructures are produced by controlling the dendritic metal growth that occurs during the chemical reduction of various types of aqueous platinum complexes, resulting in 3-nm metal arms separated by space of about 1 nm. The extended crystalline metal structures, which include nanowire networks, holey nanosheets, and dendritic nanosheets, possess long-range conductivity unavailable to solid structures and offer enhanced sintering resistance. This enabling technology could significantly impact the development of sensors, solar cells, electronics, and catalysis.
Technology
Pt nanostructures
Developer
Sandia National Laboratories
