Perspectives on Electron-Assisted Reduction for Preparation of Highly Dispersed Noble Metal Catalysts

Electrons are the greenest reducing agent for the preparation of highly dispersed noble metal catalysts. Two methods have been developed with electrons as the reducing agent: electron beam irradiation and room-temperature electron reduction with glow discharge or radio frequency discharge as the source of electrons. In this perspective, we attempt to summarize the current status of electron reduction with those non-hydrogen discharges as the electron source. Future developments have been addressed, too. The room-temperature electron reduction via discharges is excellent for size control with fast nucleation and slow crystal growth. It is a simple, easy, cheap, and energy efficient way to reduce metal ions. It is also worthwhile to load noble metal particles into channels of ordered porous materials, like SBA-15, with no need for complex chemical modification. The room-temperature operation makes it very useful for the preparation of noble metal catalysts supported on thermal sensitive substrates like porous organic materials, conducting polymers, ultrahigh surface area carbon, peptides, and proteins.