The ability to assemble nanoparticles into functional architectures is an important challenge that needs to be addressed for the generation of nanoparticle-based devices. Sol-gel chemistry has proved useful for the direct, self-supported assembly of colloidal nanoparticles into high surface area, uniquely porous, conducting nanostructures (aerogels), with no use of intervening ligands. In contrast to traditional metal oxide sol-gel synthesis, where gelation is achieved through hydrolysis and condensation of molecular precursors, the gelation in nanoparticle systems is induced through controlled oxidation of surfactant ligands. In this study, the application of later strategy for the direct cross-linking of Au/Ag/Pd alloy NPs into colloidal and polymeric Au/Ag/Pd alloy aerogels for electro-oxidation of ethanol will be presented. The effect of synthetic parameters on the primary particle size, morphology, electrical conductivity, optical transparency and opacity, surface area and porosity, and catalytic activity will be discussed in light of their application in alcohol oxidation fuel cells.

Nanostructured Au/Ag/Pd alloy aerogels as high efficiency alcohol oxidation electrocatalysts

254th National Meeting (2017)

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