Photonic Materials Technology Section (PMTS)

Nano-Functional Materials Laboratory

The work on development of highly active and stable Platinum nanoparticle supported on carbon aerogel catalyst for hydrogen isotope exchange process is being pursued for decontamination of heavy water in collaboration with HWD-BARC.

• Pt-CA with well dispersed (~ 25% dispersion) nano-sized (3-5 nm) Pt particles was developed as a catalyst for application in hydrogen isotope separation.
  
  
• Work on stability and activity improvement of PtCA hydrophobic catalyst was performed and achieved catalytic exchange efficiency of 60%.
  
  
• This catalyst tested under dynamic conditions for H2-H2O exchange showed stable performance with isotope exchange efficiency of 60%.
  
  
• This catalyst development for CECE based heavy water decontamination application involves development of Pt-CA coated Dixon rings and structured packing-based catalyst.
  
  
• Developed Pt-CA coated Dixon ring and Structured packing catalysts.
  
  
• 12,000 Dixon rings and 45 sets of structured packings given to HWD-BARC for pilot plant testing
  
  

Fig. 1 TEM of Pt-CA with 3-5 nm Pt particles

Fig 2 Pt-CA coated Dixon rings

Fig 3 Structured packing Pt-CA catalyst