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Letter: Cheaper atoms

Published 8 June 2005

From Ken MacAllister

In reading your recent article on superatoms, it occurred to me that this technology could be used to replace expensive platinum and palladium catalysts with those based on far less expensive atoms (16 April, p 30). If these superatoms are used to create materials based on nanoparticles, the increased surface area could further increase the efficiency of many catalytic reactions, including those used to convert nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide in car exhaust and industrial processes. Superatom-based nanoparticles could also be used to improve the cost and performance of rechargeable batteries and solar cells.

Vancouver, Canada

Issue no. 2503 published 11 June 2005

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