Method of forming a catalyst with an atomic layer of platinum atoms

1. A method of forming a catalyst material, the method comprising:

hindering the reaction rate of a displacement reaction to control the formation of platinum clusters, wherein an atomic layer of metal atoms is displaced with platinum atoms, to produce a catalyst material that includes an atomic layer of the platinum atoms, wherein the hindering includes:

A) conducting the displacement reaction in the presence of a platinum coordinating compound; and

B) forming a coordination complex with the platinum coordinating compound and: i) a platinum salt; or ii) the atomic layer of platinum atoms during the displacement reaction, thereby hindering displacement of the metal atoms with the platinum atoms.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the metal atoms comprise copper.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the platinum coordinating compound is citric acid.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the platinum coordinating compound is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the atomic layer of metal atoms is on a noble metal core.

6. A method of forming a catalyst material, the method comprising:

displacing an atomic layer of metal atoms with platinum atoms in the presence of a platinum-coordinating compound to produce a catalyst material that includes an atomic layer of the platinum atoms, the method further comprising forming a coordination complex with the platinum coordinating compound and: i) a platinum salt; or ii) the atomic layer of platinum atoms during displacement of the atomic layer of metal atoms.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the platinum-coordinating compound is selected from a group consisting of citric acid, EDTA and mixtures thereof.

8. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the platinum-coordinating compound is in solution with an acid and the platinum salt.

9. A method of forming a catalyst material, the method comprising:

providing a particle that includes a metal core that is covered with an atomic layer of metal atoms;

providing a solution that includes a platinum-coordinating compound and a platinum salt;

treating the particle with the solution to thereby displace the metal atoms with platinum atoms and produce a catalyst material that includes the metal core covered with an atomic layer of the platinum atoms; and

hindering displacement of the metal atoms with the platinum atoms by forming a coordination complex with the platinum coordinating compound and: i) the platinum salt; or ii) the atomic layer of platinum atoms during displacement of the metal atoms.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising depositing the atomic layer of metal atoms onto the metal core using underpotential deposition (UPD).

11. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the platinum-coordinating compound is selected from a group consisting of citric acid, EDTA and mixtures thereof.

12. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the treating of the particle with the solution includes mixing the particle with the solution.