Materials Plated with Precious Metals and Making and Using Same

Unmet Need
Precious metals have various applications in the modern industry, particularly in renewable energy technologies. The recent development of renewable energy technologies enabled by electrochemical energy conversion and storage, such as water electrolyzers, fuel cells and metal-air batteries, has further led to growing demands for precious metals, in particular platinum (Pt) for electrocatalytic applications. The high cost and limited availability of these materials, however, have caused a grand challenge for sustainability. As there is a scarcity of these resources, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of using precious metals or develop substitutes in various applications.

Technology Overview
Originating from ancient Egypt, plating has long been studied for decoration and modification of metal surfaces. Plating at the nanoscale level, e.g., coating a nonprecious metal nanoparticle with a precious metal shell, is highly desirable for the development of cost-effective nanomaterials for catalytic and other applications. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found that when plating cobalt nanoparticles with platinum, the nanoparticles showed increased specific surface area and also exhibited enhanced catalytic activity for electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen.

State of Development:
A Prototype has been successfully completed.

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