SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- July 12, 2026 -- A research team at Tianjin University has reported a new catalyst synthesis method in *Science* that uses millisecond-scale thermal pulses to assemble platinum-group catalysts with tighter structural control. The study, published July 10, 2026, describes a transient assembly strategy for platinum-rich core-shell catalysts used in hydrogen fuel cells and other clean-energy applications. For industrial catalyst developers, the work offers a potentially faster route to high-activity materials while lowering energy demand and reducing reliance on hazardous synthesis inputs. ##### **Millisecond thermal pulses replace prolonged high-temperature annealing** Tianjin University researchers and collaborators developed a non-equilibrium transient assembly process that delivers heat in short, periodic pulses. The approach is designed to drive nanocrystals through high-energy intermediate configurations before they settle into core-shell structures. Conventional catalyst synthesis often depends on extended high-temperature annealing, which can be slow, energy-intensive and difficult to control at the atomic scale. The new process aims to address those operational constraints by compressing catalyst assembly into a more precise thermal sequence. ##### **The method targets precise platinum-layer control** The reported process enables control over the thickness of the platinum shell, including a three-atomic-layer platinum configuration. That level of control matters because catalytic activity in fuel-cell materials depends on both geometric structure and electronic interaction between platinum and less-expensive metals. The study frames precise shell engineering as a way to improve catalytic utilization while maintaining the activity associated with platinum-group metals. For manufacturers, tighter layer control could reduce material variability and support more consistent catalyst performance. ##### **Synthesis time falls from hours to minutes** According to the study, the new approach reduces a conventional multi-step synthesis process that typically takes several hours to a procedure lasting only a few minutes. The reduction is tied to the use of millisecond-level thermal pulses rather than prolonged heat treatment. Shorter processing cycles could be important for catalyst production facilities seeking higher throughput and lower operating costs. The research team positioned the method as a practical alternative for preparing high-performance intermetallic catalysts with platinum-rich outer layers. ##### **Energy use drops by 90 percent per unit mass** The university reported that the thermal-pulse technology cuts energy consumption for catalyst synthesis by 90% per unit mass. The process also avoids hazardous or highly polluting reagents, which can reduce handling complexity and environmental compliance burdens. Lower energy demand and cleaner synthesis conditions are strategically relevant for producers working under tighter sustainability and cost targets. The finding places the method within broader efforts to improve the economics of catalyst manufacturing without sacrificing performance. ##### **Fuel-cell testing reached 15.2 kW per gram of platinum** Catalysts produced through the new method achieved a rated power output of 15.2 kilowatts per gram of platinum in hydrogen fuel cells, according to the study. The researchers also reported strong durability performance during testing. These results are significant because platinum loading remains a major cost factor in fuel-cell systems, especially for automotive and stationary power applications. Higher power output per gram of platinum can improve material efficiency and reduce pressure on precious-metal supply chains. ##### **Applications extend beyond hydrogen fuel cells** The research team said the technology could support broader use in green hydrogen, high-end chemical manufacturing, environmental catalysis, fine chemistry and pharmaceutical synthesis. The core-shell design strategy is relevant wherever platinum-group metals must deliver high activity while minimizing precious-metal usage. For industrial users, the value of the method will depend on scale-up performance, repeatability and compatibility with existing catalyst production lines. The study provides a scientific foundation for further development of precise noble-metal catalyst synthesis. Hu Wenbin, a professor at Tianjin University and corresponding author of the paper, described the work as a new route for efficient, precise synthesis of noble-metal catalysts with fine structures. Learn more about Tianjin University at https://www.tju.edu.cn/.