Synthesis, structure characterization and study of a new kind of catalyst: a monolith of nickel made by additive manufacturing coated with platinum

The monitoring of environmental contamination is an important issue to protect human health and the atmospheric environment. In this study, the optical imaging of mesh structures not coated and coated with platinum was performed to analyze the optical characteristics of the lattices. A nickel monolith catalyst was manufactured via additive manufacturing and coated with platinum, and it was presented to characterize the catalyst properties. The analysis focused on the process of coating using hydrazine bath as a reducing agent. The results showed an increase in the thickness of the coating with baths with durations of 1.5 h, 2.0 h and 2.5 h. The coating thickness was strongly dependent on time duration. The SEM images and EDX were used to confirm the process of coating and analyze the presence of platinum on the catalyst. Coating layers were very thin, and others were not homogeneous over the surface. When the catalyst was exposed to platinum for 2.5 h, the catalyst showed an efficiency of 0.06% for NOx, 0.10%, for CO and 0.09% for HC reduction.