University of California

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

Shaun Alia

Yushan Yan

Bryan Pivovar

Aspects disclosed herein relate to methods for producing nanostructured metal catalysts that can be used in various alternative fuel applications.

Platinum nickel nanowires as oxygen reducing electrocatalysts and methods of making the same

Metal nanotubes are provided comprising a composition having formula (M)NT: wherein M=Pt, Pd, or Au; wherein the nanotubes have: a wall thickness of from 2 to 12 nm; an outer diameter of from 30 to 100 nm; and a length of from 5 to 30 &#x3bc;m. Metal nanowires are also provided comprising a composition having formula (M)NW: wherein M=Ag or Cu; wherein when M=Ag, the nanowires have a diameter of from 25 to 60 nm and a length of from 1 to 10 &#x3bc;m; and when M=Cu, the nanowires have a diameter of from 50 to 100 nm and a length of from 10 to 50 &#x3bc;m. In other embodiments, fuel cells are also described having at least one anode; at least one cathode; an electrolyte membrane between the at least one anode and at least one cathode; and a catalyst comprising either of the above described metal nanotubes or nanowires.

Growing community of inventors

Lakewood, CO, United States of America

Shaun Alia