Synthesis and Monte Carlo Modeling of Selective CO oxidation Catalysts for Fuel Cells (TSE99-A)

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AbstractProposal Title: Synthesis and Monte Carlo Modeling of Selective CO Oxidation Catalysts for Fuel CellsProposal Number: CTS-9985449Principal Investigator: Erdogan GulariInstitution: University of MichiganThis project addresses the problem of CO poisoning of fuel-cell electrodes. To enable successful use of fuel cells in vehicular applications, the fuel gas CO content must be reduced below 10 ppm. Novel alumina supported platinum catalysts will be used to selectively oxidize CO with oxygen. The goal is to reduce the level of CO to 2 ppm using 1% oxygen in the presence of large amounts of hydrogen. Catalysts will be prepared by the sol-gel method in which colloidal platinum nanocrystallites are incorporated into an alumina gel as the gel is forming. In addition, as second method of synthesis will permit pre-synthesized colloidal platinum crystallites to be incorporated into the alumina gel. To understand the interaction between crystallite size, metal loading, and the components of the fuel gas, a Monte Carlo model will be developed. By assigning sticking coefficients and reaction rates based on surface science results, the PIs will develop a model that predicts the experimentally observed phenomena. The model will also be used to guide catalyst design. This work could lead to improvements in fuel cells for reducing emissions in vehicles.