Engineering high-temperature stable nanocomposite materials

The low thermal stability of nanoparticles typically restricts their use in catalytic and other applications to low- to moderate-temperature conditions We present a novel approach to the stabilization of nanosized noble metal particles by embedding them in a high-temperature stabilized hexa-aluminate matrix. The simple 'one-pot' approach is based on a microemulsion-templated sol-gel synthesis and yields mesoporous nanocomposite materials with pure textural porosity and excellent high-temperature stability up to about 1200 degrees C. To our knowledge, this is the first time that metal nanoparticles have been stabilized to such high temperatures. We furthermore find that the microemulsion templating allows a tailoring of the ceramic matrix without influencing the size of the embedded Pt particle. This opens up the possibility of a true multiscale engineering of nanocomposite materials. We see these novel materials therefore not only as very promising candidates for a broad range of high-temperature catalytic applications, but generally view this versatile synthesis route as a first step towards expanding the parameter range for nanoparticle applications.