US 7,396,795 B2 · Low temperature preparation of supported nanoparticle catalysts having increased dispersion

Abstract

Highly dispersed supported catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured at temperatures below about 95° C. The catalyst nanoparticles are formed on a support using an organic anchoring agent. The anchoring agent molecules include at least two functional groups. One functional group is selected to bond with the catalyst atoms and the other functional group is selected to bond with the support material. The anchoring agent and its interaction with the support provide a template for the catalyst atoms. The catalyst nanoparticles are manufactured by treating the support material with a solution of the anchoring agent. A solution of the catalyst atoms is reacted with the anchoring agent molecules to form an intermediate supported catalyst. The supported intermediate catalyst is dried by heating at a temperature less than about 95° C. In an alternative embodiment, the catalyst atoms are reacted with the anchoring agent molecules prior to treating the support material with the anchoring agent.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for manufacturing a supported nanocatalyst having highly dispersed catalyst nanoparticles anchored to a support, comprising:

forming an intermediate supported catalyst, the steps comprising:
(i) providing a solution comprising a plurality of catalyst atoms;
(ii) providing a solution comprising a plurality of anchoring agent molecules, the anchoring agent molecules each having at least two functional groups, wherein at least one functional group is capable of bonding with the catalyst atoms and another functional group is capable of bonding with a support material;
(iii) treating a support material with the solution of anchoring agent molecules such that the anchoring agent molecules bond with the support;
and
(iv) reacting the catalyst atoms with the anchoring agent molecules;
and
drying the intermediate supported catalyst while maintaining the temperature during drying below about 95° C., wherein the catalyst atoms agglomerate to form nanoparticles with an average particle size of less than about 20 nm, and the supported nanocatalyst comprises highly dispersed catalyst nanoparticles anchored to the support material.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Low temperature preparation of supported nanoparticle catalysts having increased dispersion

Life of this patent

Low temperature preparation of supported nanoparticle catalysts having increased dispersion

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20