The University of Texas at Austin
College of Engineering

Nanoscale Properties: Chemical

Chemical Properties of Nanomaterials

One of the important factors for the chemical applications of nanomaterials is the increment of their surface area which increases the chemical activity of the material.

Applications of Chemical Properties of Nanomaterials

 

Due to their enhanced chemical activity, nanostructural materials can be used as catalysts to react with such noxious and toxic gases as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in automobile catalytic converters and power generation equipment to prevent environmental pollution arising from burning gasoline and coal. Fuel cell technology is another important application of the noble metal nanoparticles relating the catalysis of the reactions. In the present, the fuel cell catalysts are based on platinum group metals (PGM). Pt and Pt-Ru alloys are some of the most frequently used catalysts from this group. In fact, the use of these metals is one major factor for cell costs, which has been one of the major drawbacks preventing it from growing into a more important technology. One possibility to produce economical catalysts is the use of bimetallic nanoparticles.

Gold in Different Shapes

 


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