Abstract
Researchers have focused their efforts on the development and application of efficient three-dimensional nanomaterials in the field of sustainable energy. In this paper, a valuable one-step, simple, surfactant-free, and rapid method for forming a platinum-ruthenium aerogel is presented. The three-dimensional aerogel is prepared by reducing platinum and ruthenium ions with NaBH4 followed by supercritical drying. In this work, suitable anisotropic conditions are created by changing the temperature (as a destabilizer) from 298 to 343 K without any chemical compound. The optimum conditions for the gelation time and the type of products obtained are investigated in this study. Based on analysis, a porous three-dimensional framework with extremely low weight (0.021 g.cm−3) and many open pores is constructed. This 3D superstructure is used as a self-supporting nanocatalyst for the dissociation of methanol and shows fantastic efficiency due to the following main factors: (1) the accessibility of fuel molecules to the internal active sites of the engineered aerogel is facilitated by the numerous open pores, and (2) the self-supporting nature of the engineered aerogel ensures a long lifetime due to the absence of carbon corrosion problems. In addition, the presence of Ru not only changes the electronic properties (synergistic effects), but also improves the catalytic efficiency in methanol oxidation.
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