Advanced Nanocatalysts from Organic Solution Synthesis

Materials with one or multiple dimensions confined at the nanoscale, i.e., nanomaterials, possess distinctive properties compared to their bulk counterparts, and have been demonstrated to be particularly advantageous in catalysis. While conventional catalyst preparation such as impregnation has derived catalytic materials at nanoscale, synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts with robust control over particle size, shape and composition has been a great challenge for chemical engineers. This talk intends to highlight our progress on organic solution synthesis for the development of advanced nanomaterials for catalytic applications. Examples illustrating the methods and mechanisms of controlling nanocrystal nucleation and growth will be discussed, in terms of control over particle size, shape, composition and surface structure. Ligands removal for surface cleaning and synthesis of heterogeneous composite nanoparticle catalysts will also be discussed. While our focus will be placed on Pt-based catalysts for electrochemical reactions in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), our approach would have general impact on the development of heterogeneous catalysts based on nanomaterials.