Ruthenium nanoparticles sandwiched in the pore walls of carbon have been found to help improve the efficiency of catalysts.

Dr Xiu Song Zhao, the lead researcher in the development of the technology, has created the approach in an effort to boost the efficacy of heterogeneous catalysts supported on a carrier.

Speaking to Nanowerk, Dr Zhao explained that the approach can significantly reduce many of the problems associated with heterogeneous catalysts.

He said: "Such a nanostructure on one hand can significantly minimize particle aggregation, movement and leaching, and on the other ameliorate the metal-support interaction, thus leading to a great catalytic performance in terms of catalytic activity and lifetime."

By embedding the ruthenium nanoparticles into the carbon, rather than dispersing them on the surface as has been done in the past, Dr Zhao claims that the catalyst can be more effectively stabilised.

Source:

Nanotechnology optimizes catalyst systems, 24/09/07
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=2680.php

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