Speaker
Description
Hydrogen-water exchange reaction is one of the most useful methods to concentrate heavy hydrogen isotopes from an admixture containing hydrogen-rich gas and heavy water. Pt-based hydrophobic catalyst had attracted much research interest in the reaction between liquid water and hydrogen. The hydrophobic support prevented liquid water from covering the active sites of the Pt catalyst, hence the increasing stability of the catalyst. However, the week adhesion between the metal catalyst and the support, the poor utilization percentage of catalyst and the lack of control on the catalyst morphology had seriously restricted the usage of the catalyst.
Herein, we reported that ultrafine Pt nanoparticles on superhydrophobic 3D graphene aerogel were prepared in hydrogen-water exchange reactions. First, 3D graphene aerogel was prepared as catalyst support via hydrothermal reaction. Second, monodispersed Pt nanoparticles were grown facilely on graphene aerogel through microwave assisted reaction serving as active catalyst. Finally, the aerogel was further modified by self-assembled monolayer to enhance the superhydrophobicity.
Our graphene aerogel supported catalyst showed good superhydrophobicity with contact angle lager than 150 degrees, and strong adhesion between the Pt nanoparticles and graphene plane. The Pt catalyst was monodispersed and with particle size of 2 nm and was highly active for hydrogen-water exchange reactions. The catalyst was stable under experimental condition for more than one month. In addition, our catalyst was prepared using solution method during the whole process, which reduced significantly the cost and was beneficial to practical industrial use.
| Eligible for student paper award? | No |
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