Catalysts

Surface reactions on Pd alloys

Pt-Rh and Pt-Rh-Ru alloy catalysts are used in a wide range of applications such as automobile exhaust emission controls and low temperature fuel cells. In these applications the catalysts are exposed to strongly oxidized conditions. However, detailed knowledge on the oxidation of general platinum group metals is still lacking. Here are shown transmission electron micrographs (left) of Pt-Rh specimens before and after oxidation, and 3D atom maps of Pt-Rh-Ru alloy oxidized for 10mins, 30mins  and 90mins at 873K in 1bar O₂ (right). Black arrows point out a grain boundaries in the specimens.

For more details on this project, please contact Tong Li , Dr Paul Bagot or Prof. George Smith.