my recent articles |
| Nano-crystal 'gems' are powerful chemical catalysts |
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3 May 2007, for New Scientist Nano-scale platinum crystals that resemble tiny, precision-cut gems have been shown to be powerful catalysts for driving chemical reactions. The unusual shape of the crystals makes the platinum atoms arrange themselves in an uneven way that enhances reactivity. Platinum, in various forms, has many uses in catalysing chemical reactions. In cars, for example, catalytic converters use particles of platinum to turn noxious nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and oxygen.However, since platinum is more precious than gold, finding ways to maximise the reactivity of each gram of the metal is an important research goal. For this reason researchers have previously created various types of platinum nano-crystals, shaped like cubes, spheres, and pyramids, and tested their properties. Now a team, led by Shi-Gang Sun, of Xiamen University in China, and Zhong Lin Wang, at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US, has grown 24-sided nano-crystals that have the most reactive surfaces yet.... Read the rest of the story on New Scientist's website. |