NON-CARBON MIXED-METAL OXIDE SUPPORT FOR ELECTROCATALYSTS
A non-carbon support particle is provided for use in electrocatalyst. The non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The titanium and ruthenium can have a mole ratio ranging from 1:1 to 9:1 in the non-carbon support particle. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the non-carbon support and electrocatalyst taught herein.
1 . A non-carbon support particle for use in electrocatalyst, consisting essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide.
2 . The non-carbon support particle of claim 1 , wherein titanium and ruthenium have a 1:1 mole ratio in the non-carbon support particle.
3 . The non-carbon support particle of claim 1 , wherein titanium and ruthenium have a mole ratio between 9:1 and 1:1 in the non-carbon support particle.
4 . The non-carbon support particle of claim 1 , wherein the titanium dioxide has a first particle size and the ruthenium dioxide has a second particle size, the first particle size and the second particle size being substantially equal.
5 . The non-carbon support particle of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the non-carbon support particle is a modified surface comprising one or more of defects and functional groups configured to promote adhesion of an active catalyst particle.
6 . An electrocatalyst, comprising non-carbon support particles of claim 1 and further comprising precious metal active catalyst particles deposited onto the non-carbon support particles.
7 . The electrocatalyst of claim 6 , wherein the precious metal active catalyst particles are platinum.
8 . An electrode for a fuel cell, comprising the electrocatalyst of claim 6 .
9 . A method of preparing a non-carbon support particle for use in electrocatalyst comprising:
dispersing titanium dioxide nanopowder in liquid and mixing for a first period of time;
precipitating ruthenium hydroxide on the titanium dioxide nanopowder to form non-carbon support particles consisting essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide;
filtering the non-carbon support particles from the liquid; and
drying the non-carbon support particles.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising calcining the non-carbon support particles in air.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the calcining is performed at 450° C.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein precipitating ruthenium hydroxide comprises:
adding ruthenium chloride hydrate to the liquid and further mixing for a second period of time; and
adjusting a pH of the solution to seven.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the non-carbon support particles consist essentially of a 1:1 mole ratio of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein titanium and ruthenium have a mole ratio between 9:1 and 1:1 in the non-carbon support particle.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the titanium dioxide has a first particle size and the ruthenium dioxide has a second particle size, the first particle size and the second particle size being substantially equal.
16 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
modifying a surface of the dried non-carbon support particles with a chemical process configured to promote adhesion of active catalyst particles.
17 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
increasing a surface area of the dried non-carbon support particles with mechanical milling.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
increasing a surface area of the dried non-carbon support particles with mechanical milling prior to modifying the surface.
19 . A method of preparing a non-carbon electrocatalyst comprising the method of claim 9 , and further comprising depositing precious metal active particles on the non-carbon support particles by reducing an active catalyst precursor with acid.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the precious metal active particles are platinum particles.