mineweb<>Japanese scientists develop 1st artificial rare metal-palladium-type alloy
Scientists say they have developed nanoprocessing technology which may lead to the production of other artificial rare metals.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Monday , 03 Jan 2011
RENO, NV -
Japanese researchers say they have created the world's first artificial rare metal, an alloy similar to palladium, which they hope could ease Japan's dependence on other nations for palladium.
Led by Hiroshi Kitagawa, a professor of organic property chemistry at Kyoto University, the research team claims it has also produced alternatives to other kinds of rare metals.
The group used nanoprocessing technology to heat water solutions containing equal part of rhodium and silver, turned the solution into a mist, and slowly mixed it with heated alcohol to produce particles of the new alloy. Each particle is 10 nanometers in diameter and the atoms of the two metals are equally mixed.
The new alloy is capable of storing hydrogen. Palladium can accumulate large amounts of hydrogen and is used as a catalyst in cleaning vehicle exhaust. While neither rhodium or silver are capable of storing hydrogen, the new alloy has an absorption capacity of about half that of palladium. The researchers assert that the alloy can act as a substitute for palladium catalysts.
However, the researchers say the new alloy will be difficult to produce commercially. Nevertheless, Kitawaga and his team hope to use the compound's production method to develop other alloys for use as alternative rare metals. He has begun joint research with automotive manufacturers and other companies.
Palladium also is used in the production of fuels cells-a renewable energy source that generates electivity by combining hydrogen and oxygen with water as the only by-product.
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