Synthesis of Silver-Platinum, Silver-Palladium, Silver-Palladium-Platinum nanotubes catalysis applications.

• Grant number: 11/13622-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: January 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Henrique Cury Camargo
• Grantee: Caio André Endo Barata
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This proposal focuses on the development of multi-metallic nanostructures with hollow interiors displaying well-defined and controllable sizes, shapes and compositions. In particular, we are interested in the synthesis of silver-platinum (Ag-Pt), silver-palladium (Ag-Pd), and silver-palladium-platinum nanotubes for applications in catalysis. In the first part of this work, the synthesis and characterization of Ag nanowires d 100 nm in width and > 3 ¼m in length will be adressed. In the second stage of this project, the Ag nanowires will be employed as sacrificial templates in the galvanic replacement reaction with PtCl62- and/or PdCl42- íons to produce the corresponding Ag-Pt, Ag-Pd and Ag-PdPt hollow nanostructures (nanotubes). In order to demonstrate the potential of these nanostructures for catalysis applications, they will be employed electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions in the last stage of this work. As the galvanic replacement reaction enables one to fine-tune the composition (by controlling the molar ratio between Ag and the metal ion precursor during the reaction) and also to obtain hollow interiors (that provide higher surface areas as compared to their solid counterparts), the strategies proposed herein represent a simple, versatile and promising alternative to produce a wealth of nanomaterials with controlled properties for catalysis applications.