Transient Assembly: Chinese Researchers Develop New Route for Precision Fabrication of Platinum-Group Catalysts

Platinum-group catalysts are key materials underpinning modern industry. For years, the development of high-performance catalysts has largely been led by a small number of countries.

A research team from Tianjin University, together with its collaborators, has published new findings in Science. The team proposed a “transient assembly” strategy, using millisecond-scale periodic thermal pulses to rapidly synthesize platinum-group catalysts with well-defined core-shell structures.

The method shortens the conventional synthesis process from several hours to just a few minutes, while reducing energy consumption by more than 90%.

The technology goes beyond the traditional thermodynamic equilibrium pathway. Driven by millisecond-scale precision energy input, platinum-based nanocrystals experience continuous evolution of non-equilibrium high-energy transient configurations to form core-shell structure. . The thickness of the platinum shell can also be controlled at the atomic level.

The catalyst can help hydrogen fuel cells achieve the same power output with only half the amount of precious metals, while also improving durability.

The research offers a new technological route for developing ultra-high-performance platinum-based catalysts.

In the future, the technology is expected to find broad applications in green hydrogen, high-end chemical engineering, environmental catalysis and fine chemical synthesis, providing strong technical support for China’s strategic industries such as green hydrogen and advanced energy materials.