PLATINUM-TUNGSTEN SOLID SOLUTION PARTICLES AND CATALYST CONTAINING SAME

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide platinum-tungsten solid solution particles that can be suitably used for catalyst applications and others. Another object is to provide a catalyst with higher catalytic activity than when platinum is used alone. Disclosed are platinum-tungsten solid solution particles comprising platinum and tungsten in solid solution at an atomic level. Also disclosed is a catalyst comprising the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles.

Claims

1. Platinum-tungsten solid solution particles comprising platinum and tungsten in solid solution at an atomic level.

2. A catalyst comprising the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles according to claim 1.

3. The catalyst according to claim 2, which is a hydrogen evolution catalyst.

4. The catalyst according to claim 2, which is a carbon monoxide hydrogenation catalyst.

5. The catalyst according to claim 2, which is a carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalyst.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a TEM image and the particle size distribution, respectively, of Pt.Math.NPs obtained in Comparative Example 1. FIGS. 1c and 1d show a TEM image and the particle size distribution, respectively, of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates the analytical results of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1. FIGS. 2a-d are images showing the results of elemental mapping of Pt and W (core: Pt, shell: W). FIG. 2e is a line profile chart of Pt or W. FIG. 2f is charts each indicating an XRD pattern (top: Pt.Math.NPs, bottom: PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs).

[0019] FIG. 3 is spectrograms of PtW@WO.sub.3-x as measured by XPS (left: W4f, right: Pt4f).

[0020] FIG. 4a is a TEM image of Pt.Math.NPs/C (on carbon) obtained in Comparative Example 2. FIG. 4b is a TEM image of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C (on carbon) obtained in Example 1.

[0021] FIGS. 5a-d are images showing the results of elemental mapping of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C obtained in Example 1.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates the analytical results of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C obtained in Example 1 after EC cleaning. FIGS. 6a-d are images showing the results of elemental mapping of Pt and W. FIG. 6e is a line profile chart of Pt or W.

[0023] FIGS. 7a-d are images showing the analytical results of PtW.Math.NPs obtained in Example 2 and showing the results of elemental mapping of Pt and W.

[0024] FIGS. 8a-b show the line profiles of Pt and W of PtW.Math.NPs obtained in Example 2.

[0025] FIGS. 9a-c are charts each showing cyclic voltammetry (CVs). FIG. 9a represents commercial(comm)-Pt.Math.NPs/C, FIG. 9b represents Pt.Math.NPs/C, and FIG. 9c represents PtW.Math.NPs/C. FIG. 9d is a graph indicating the effective surface area (ECSA) of each of the above three samples.

[0026] FIGS. 10a-c are a chart illustrating LSV polarization curves of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C, Pt.Math.NPs/C, and PtW.Math.NPs/C (FIG. 10a), a graph indicating each mass activity (FIG. 10b), and a graph indicating each specific activity (FIG. 10c).

[0027] FIG. 11 is a chart indicated by i-t curves at a PtW.Math.NPs/C electrode, a comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C electrode, and a Pt.Math.NPs/C electrode.

[0028] FIG. 12 shows linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) of Pt.Math.NPs/C or Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x.

[0029] FIG. 13 illustrates the analytical results of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1 after being supported on alumina. FIGS. 13a and 13c-e are images showing the results of elemental mapping of Pt and W. FIG. 13b is a line profile chart of Pt or W.

[0030] FIG. 14a is a graph indicating each CO conversion. FIG. 14b is a graph showing the kind and percentage of each product.

[0031] FIG. 15 is charts indicating XRD patterns before and after a CO hydrogenation reaction. FIG. 15a shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and FIG. 15b shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0032] FIG. 16 shows TEM images and the particle size distributions before and after the CO hydrogenation reaction. FIG. 16a shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 16b shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0033] FIG. 17a is a graph indicating each CO.sub.2 conversion, and FIG. 17b is a graph showing the kind and percentage of each product.

[0034] FIG. 18 is charts indicating XRD patterns before and after a CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction. FIG. 18a shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 18b shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0035] FIG. 19 shows TEM images and the particle size distributions before and after the CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction. FIG. 19a shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 19b shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0036] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the results of measuring each CO.sub.2 conversion in Example 6.

[0037] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the results of measuring each CO.sub.2 conversion in Comparative Example 9.

[0038] FIG. 22 is charts indicating the X-ray diffraction patterns and crystallite sizes in Example 6 or Comparative Example 9.

[0039] FIG. 23 illustrates the measurement results in Example 7. FIG. 23(a) is a chart showing each X-ray diffraction pattern. FIG. 23(b) is a graph indicating each crystallite size.

[0040] FIG. 24 illustrates the measurement results in Comparative Example 10. FIG. 24(a) is a chart showing each X-ray diffraction pattern. FIG. 24(b) is a graph indicating each crystallite size.

MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] The particles of the present invention are platinum-tungsten solid solution particles comprising platinum and tungsten in solid solution at an atomic level. Here, the term “platinum-tungsten solid solution particles” refers to solid solution particles of platinum and tungsten. The solid solution means a state in which constituent elements are mixed at an atomic level. The solid solution is one of forms included in the concept of alloy. The case of alloy typically includes not only a solid solution type alloy but also a non-solid-solution-based alloy. Platinum and tungsten, which are constituent elements of particle in the present invention, are in solid solution at an atomic level to form a solid solution. The particle size of the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of improving the activity as a catalyst, the range of average particle size from 1 to 20 nm, 1 to 10 nm, or the like may be suitably exemplified. When the average particle size is in the above range, the catalytic activity can be further improved due to the high surface area. The tungsten content ratio in the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention is not particularly limited, but a range of 1 to 50 atomic percent or the like may be suitably exemplified. When the tungsten content ratio is in the above range, the catalytic activity can be further improved due to the negative charge of (negatively charged) Pt.

[0042] A method for producing platinum-tungsten solid solution particles according to the present invention is exemplified. The solid solution particles of the present invention may be produced, for example, by a pyrolysis process using liquid phase synthesis. In the pyrolysis process, a solution containing a solvent, a platinum compound, and a tungsten compound is kept at a predetermined temperature such as 300° C. or higher for a predetermined time such as 1 hour or longer. This allows for production of the solid solution particles of the present invention. As the solvent, the following or the like may be exemplified: an ether-based solvent (e.g., diphenyl ether, dibenzyl ether, ditolyl ether, 1,2-diphenoxyethane, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, diethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol diethylene ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether); higher fatty acid (e.g., linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid); primary amine (e.g., alkyl amine (e.g., laurylamine, myristylamine, cetylamine, stearylamine, behenylamine), oleylamine); unsaturated fatty acid (e.g., oleic acid); a glycol compound (e.g., propylene glycol, diethylene glycol), which are each a high-boiling-point solvent. Two or more kinds thereof may be mixed and used. In the pyrolysis process, the boiling point of the solvent is preferably 300° C. or higher and more preferably 330° C. or higher. As the platinum compound, a platinum compound (e.g., bis(acetylacetonato)platinum, platinum chloride, hexachloroplatinic acid salt, dichloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum (II), di-p-chlorobis[chloro(cyclohexene)platinum], dimethyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum) or the like may be exemplified. As the tungsten compound, tungsten carbonyl, tungsten chloride, bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungstendichloride, bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dichloride, bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dichloride, bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dihydride, bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dihydride or the like may be exemplified.

[0043] As another example of the method for producing platinum-tungsten solid solution particles according to the present invention, a reduction process is exemplified. In the reduction process, a platinum compound and a tungsten compound are dissolved in a solvent, and a reducing agent is added and preferably stirred to be able to produce the solid solution particles of the present invention. The suspension after the reducing agent is added and retained or stirred may be centrifuged, washed, and dried to produce the solid solution particles of the present invention. As long as the raw material can be dissolved, as the solvent that can be used, the following or the like may be exemplified: in addition to the above described high-boiling-point solvents, an alcohol compound (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol); aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., benzene, toluene); halogenated hydrocarbon (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform); acetone, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, diethyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran (THF). Two or more kinds thereof may be mixed and used. As the platinum compound, a platinum compound (e.g., bis(acetylacetonato)platinum, platinum chloride, hexachloroplatinic acid salt, dichloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum (II), di-p-chlorobis[chloro(cyclohexene)platinum], dimethyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum) or the like may be exemplified. As the tungsten compound, tungsten carbonyl, tungsten chloride, bis (cyclopentadienyl)tungsten dichloride, bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dichloride, bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dichloride, bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dihydride, bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)tungsten(IV) dihydride or the like may be exemplified. As the reducing agent, the following or the like may be exemplified: a borane compound (e.g., a borane-ammonia complex, a borane-tert-butylamine complex, a borane-dimethylamine complex, a borane-diisopropylamine complex, a borane-dicyclohexylamine complex, a borane-trimethylamine complex, a borane-triethylamine complex, a borane-N,N-diethylaniline complex, a borane-pyridine complex, a borane-2-picoline complex, a borane-morpholine complex, a borane-tetrahydrofuran complex, a borane-dimethyl sulfide complex, 1,2-bis(tert-butylthio)ethane borane, a borane-triphenylphosphine complex); a borohydride compound (e.g., sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, potassium borohydride, sodium borohydride triacetate, sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium tris(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropoxy)borohydride, lithium triethylborohydride, potassium dihydrobis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, potassium dihydrobis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, potassium tris(1-pyrazolyl)borohydride, (polystyrylmethyl)trimethylammonium cyanoborohydride, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetramethylammonium borohydride, benzyltriethylammonium borohydride, tetrabutylammonium borohydride, tetramethylammonium triacetoxyborohydride); an aluminum hydride compound (e.g., lithium aluminum hydride); a metal hydride compound; a silane compound; or a hydrazine compound.

[0044] The catalyst of the present invention is characterized by containing the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention. The catalyst of the present invention may be utilized as a catalyst for various reactions such as hydrogen evolution, carbon monoxide hydrogenation, carbon dioxide hydrogenation, acetylene hydrogenation, ethylene hydrogenation, formation of CO.sub.2 from methane, aqueous gas shift, CO oxidation, and/or dehydrogenation (e.g., synthesis of benzene from cyclohexane). When used as a catalyst, the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention may be supported on a carrier. By allowing the particles to be supported on a carrier, the particles can be prevented from aggregation during the catalytic reaction.

[0045] The carrier is not particularly limited, and any known carrier may be used. As the carrier, a carbon (C), alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2), magnesium oxide (MgO), cerium dioxide (CeO.sub.2), or praseodymium oxide (Pr.sub.6O.sub.11) particle or the like may be exemplified.

[0046] Alternatively, the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention may be used as a catalyst without being supported on a carrier. When the solid solution particles are used as a catalyst in solution, they may be protected with a protective agent such as poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP). The platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention exhibit excellent catalytic activity as well as durability when used as a catalyst. As the catalyst of the present invention, the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention may be used alone or may be mixed with other component(s) as long as the catalytic activity is not inhibited or is further improved. As a preferred embodiment of the catalyst of the present invention, a hydrogen evolution catalyst comprising the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention, a carbon monoxide hydrogenation catalyst comprising the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention, a carbon dioxide hydrogenation catalyst comprising the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles of the present invention or the like may be exemplified. The method for producing the catalyst of the present invention is not particularly limited. However, in the case where the solid solution particles of the present invention are supported on a carrier, for example, a suspension of the solid solution particles of the present invention and the carrier may be prepared, heated, cooled, and then dried to produce the catalyst.

[0047] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples of the present invention. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

[0048] (Preparation of PtW—WO.sub.3-x Core-Shell Structure) In a 100-mL three-necked flask, 60 mL of oleylamine was added, and the temperature was raised to 100° C. under vacuum. Then, 7.5 mmol of tungsten carbonyl and 1.5 mmol of bis(acetylacetonato)platinum were added, and the temperature was raised to 330° C. under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. After stirring, the mixture was cooled to room temperature. The resulting black solution was washed several times with a mixed solution of ethanol and hexane (ethanol:hexane=1:1).

[0049] After washing, the resulting material was centrifuged to prepare black powder. The resulting black powder is denoted as PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs (NPs means nanoparticles).

[0050] (Preparation of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs on Carbon)

[0051] First, 25 mL of hexane, 0.02 mL of oleylamine, and 33.8 mg of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1 were sonicated in a 50-mL flask for 30 minutes to give a suspension. Subsequently, a suspension obtained by adding 67.3 mg of carbon (Valcan® XC72R) to 15 mL of 2-propanol was added to the above suspension, and the mixture was sonicated for 2 hours. After evaporation of hexane and 2-propanol, 40 mL of acetic acid was added, and the mixture was heated in an oil bath at 70° C. for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and centrifuged. The obtained black powder was washed several times with a mixture of ethanol and acetone, and finally centrifuged to prepare black powder. The resulting black powder is denoted as PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C.

[0052] (Preparation of Pt—W Solid Solution)

[0053] Here, 75 cycles of electrochemical cleaning (EC cleaning) in the range of −0.15 V to 0.9 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) were performed on PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C.

Comparative Example 1

[0054] (Preparation of Pt Nanoparticles)

[0055] In a 100-mL three-necked flask, 60 mL of oleylamine was added, and the temperature was raised to 100° C. under vacuum. Then, 1.5 mmol of bis (acetylacetonato)platinum was added, and the temperature was raised to 330° C. under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. After stirring, the mixture was cooled to room temperature. The resulting black solution was washed several times with a mixed solution of ethanol and hexane (ethanol:hexane=1:1). After washing, the resulting material was centrifuged to prepare black powder. The resulting black powder is denoted as Pt.Math.NPs (Pt nanoparticles).

[0056] (Preparation of Pt.Math.NPs on Carbon)

[0057] First, 25 mL of hexane, 0.02 mL of oleylamine, and 28.5 mg of Pt.Math.NPs obtained in Comparative Example 1 were sonicated in a 50-mL flask for 30 minutes to give a suspension. Subsequently, a suspension obtained by adding 66.1 mg of carbon (Valcan® XC72R) to 15 mL of 2-propanol was added to the above suspension, and the mixture was sonicated for 2 hours. After evaporation of hexane and 2-propanol, 40 mL of acetic acid was added, and the mixture was heated using an oil bath at 70° C. for 15 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and centrifuged. The obtained black powder was washed several times with a mixture of ethanol and acetone, and finally centrifuged to prepare black powder. The resulting black powder is denoted as Pt.Math.NPs/C. EC cleaning was also performed on Pt.Math.NPs/C in substantially the same manner as for PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C.

[0058] (Analysis of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs or Pt.Math.NPs)

[0059] PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1 and Pt.Math.NPs obtained in Comparative Example 1 were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FIG. 1 shows TEM images and the particle size distributions obtained from the TEM images. FIGS. 1a and 1b are a TEM image and the particle size distribution of Pt.Math.NPs, and FIGS. 1c and 1d are a TEM image and the particle size distribution of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs. The average particle size of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs was 5.5±0.6 nm, and that of Pt.Math.NPs was 4.4±0.9 nm. The “A” in the notation “A±B nm” represents the average particle size and the “B” represents the standard deviation. While the particle size used is the long diameter of particle in a TEM image, the average particle size was calculated by measuring the particle sizes (long diameters) of particles (at least 300 particles) in a TEM image and then averaging the measured diameters.

[0060] The atomic ratio between Pt and W (Pt:W) in PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to be 74:26. To check the structure of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs, elemental mapping and line analysis were performed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). A high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image and elemental mapping results are shown in FIGS. 2a-e. FIG. 2a shows the HAADF-STEM image, FIG. 2b shows the results of elemental mapping of Pt (green), FIG. 2c shows the results of elemental mapping of W (red), and FIG. 2d shows the results obtained by superimposing the results of FIGS. 2b and 2c. The outer points (red) of each particle in FIG. 2d each represent W in the image of FIG. 2c, and the inner points (green) each represent Pt in the image of FIG. 2b. FIG. 2e is a chart showing the line profiles of Pt and W recorded along the arrow in the HAADF-STEM image at the upper right in the chart. The upper broken line (green) represents Pt and the lower broken line (red) represents W. FIG. 3 shows the spectra measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FIG. 3a shows the 4f peaks of W. The upper broken line shows PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs, and the lower broken line shows WO.sub.3. FIG. 3b shows the 4f peaks of Pt. The upper broken line shows PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs, and the lower broken line shows Pt.Math.NPs. From FIGS. 2a-e and 3, it can be seen that PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs has a core-shell structure with a WO.sub.3-x shell and a core containing Pt and W.

[0061] FIG. 2f shows the XRD patterns of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs (upper line: blue) and Pt.Math.NPs (lower line: red) by radiation X-ray diffraction (XRD). PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs formed a single-component fcc structure similar to that of Pt.Math.NPs. The reason why diffraction peaks of WO.sub.3-x shell are not observed is considered to be that WO.sub.3-x is amorphous and/or a thin layer. The lattice constants of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs and Pt.Math.NPs were evaluated to be 3.922 Å and 3.920 Å, respectively, by Le Bail fitting of XRD patterns. The reason why there is no obvious difference in the lattice constant between PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs and Pt.Math.NPs is that Pt and W atoms have almost the same metallic bond radius.

[0062] (Analysis of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C)

[0063] FIG. 4a shows a TEM image of Pt.Math.NPs/C and FIG. 4b shows a TEM image of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C. As can be seen from FIGS. 4a and 4b, PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C was well dispersed on the carbon carrier like in the case of Pt.Math.NP/C. FIG. 5 shows a HAADF-STEM image and the elemental mapping results of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C. FIG. 5a shows the HAADF-STEM image, FIG. 5b shows the results of elemental mapping of Pt (green), FIG. 5c shows the results of elemental mapping of W (red), and FIG. 5d shows the results obtained by superimposing the results of FIGS. 5b and 5c. The outer points (red) of each particle in FIG. 5d each represent W in the image of FIG. 5c, and the inner points (green) each represent Pt in the image of FIG. 5b. As can be seen from FIGS. 5a-d, the core-shell structure was maintained after the particles are supported on carbon.

[0064] (Analysis of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs/C after EC Cleaning)

[0065] FIGS. 6a-e show a HAADF-STEM image and the results of elemental mapping after EC cleaning. FIG. 6a shows the HAADF-STEM image, FIG. 6b shows the results of elemental mapping of Pt (green), FIG. 6c shows the results of elemental mapping of W (red), and FIG. 6d shows the results obtained by superimposing the results of FIGS. 6b and 6c. FIG. 6e is a chart showing the line profiles of Pt and W recorded along the arrow in the HAADF-STEM image at the upper right in the chart. The upper broken line (green) represents Pt and the lower broken line (red) represents W. In FIG. 6d, W at the periphery of Pt as in FIG. 2d is absent. In FIG. 6e, the presence of W at the periphery of Pt as in FIG. 2e was also not observed. Thus, the WO.sub.3-x shell layer disappeared after EC cleaning. In addition, FIG. 6e also shows that Pt and W are randomly and uniformly distributed in each nanoparticle. Particles in which the WO.sub.3-x shell layer disappears from PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs are denoted as PtW.Math.NPs, and PtW.Math.NPs/C is denoted including carbon as a carrier. The percentage of W in PtW.Math.NPs was measured to be 4 atomic percent (at %) by STEM/EDS line analysis. In addition, XPS measurements of PtW@WO.sub.3-x (FIG. 3) demonstrated a shift with respect to Pt.Math.NPs. The Pt-4f peak measured by XPS was shifted from 71.20 eV to 71.06 eV.

[0066] The HAADF-STEM image and elemental mapping results indicate that the above measured peaks originate from the core, since the shell layer is free of Pt. Since Pt and W have some difference in electronegativity, in the case of a solid solution of Pt and W, the charge transfer causes a shift of the peaks measured by XPS. The results in FIG. 3 indicate that Pt is negatively charged in the core because electrons are injected from W to Pt, supporting that the core (i.e., PtW.Math.NPs) is a solid solution. These results have revealed that the core of PtW@WO.sub.3-xNPs is a solid solution in which Pt and W are in solid solution at an atomic level.

EXAMPLE 2

[0067] To a mixed solvent containing 8.3 mL of dibenzyl ether, 1.7 mL of oleylamine, and 1.0 mL of oleic acid were added 0.15 mmol of bis(cyclopentadienyl)tungsten dichloride and 0.15 mmol of dichloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum (II) to give a suspension. The temperature was raised to 130° C. and the suspension was then dissolved. To this was added 2.2 mmol of borane-morpholine complex. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, centrifuged, and washed (with a mixed solvent of hexane and ethanol) repeatedly. After vacuum drying, 42.7 mg of black powder was then obtained. Elemental mapping and line analysis by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) of the black powder obtained in substantially the same manner as in Example 1 were performed. FIGS. 7 (a) to 7(d) show a high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image and the elemental mapping results. FIG. 7a shows the HAADF-STEM image, FIG. 7b shows the results of elemental mapping of Pt (green), FIG. 7c shows the results of elemental mapping of W (red), and FIG. 7d shows the results obtained by superimposing the results of FIGS. 7b and 7c. FIG. 8 shows the results of EDX line analysis at the atomic resolution level. FIGS. 8(a) and 8 (b) show the results of the line analysis in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 8(a). FIG. 8(b) has demonstrated the presence of 50 atomic % tungsten locally inside the particles. The green line represents Pt and the red line represents W. In addition, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis showed that the ratio of the number of Pt atoms to the number of W atoms in the whole particle (Pt:W) was 76:24. FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) shows that Pt and W are distributed in the same position, suggesting that Pt and W are in solid solution. In Example 2, solid solution particles comprising Pt and W in solid solution (PtW.Math.NPs) without a core-shell structure were obtained.

EXAMPLE 3

[0068] A mixture (with 16 mass % of Pt) containing 0.65 mL of 2-propanol, 0.05 mL of Nafion, 0.3 mL of hexane, and PtW.Math.NPs/C obtained in Example 1 were sonicated for 30 minutes to prepare ink for application of PtW.Math.NPs/C to an electrode. Then, 5 μL (0.8 mgPt/mL) of the resulting ink was applied to a rotating disk electrode (working electrode; manufactured by BAS, Inc.), and dried under air.

Comparative Example 2

[0069] (To Prepare Electrode)

[0070] Ink was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 except that PtW.Math.NPs/C was replaced by Pt.Math.NPs/C. The ink was applied to a rotating disk electrode, so that the amount of Pt was the same as in Example 3, and dried under air.

Comparative Example 3

[0071] (Commercially Available Pt on Carbon)

[0072] Commercially available Pt on carbon (Pt loading of 20 mass %; manufactured by Alfa Aesar) was prepared. This is denoted as commercial(comm)-Pt.Math.NPs/C.

[0073] (To Prepare Electrode)

[0074] Ink was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 except that PtW.Math.NPs/C was replaced by comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C. The ink was applied to a rotating disk electrode, so that the amount of Pt was the same as in Example 3, and dried under air.

Comparative Example 41

[0075] (Preparation of WO.sub.3-x Cluster)

[0076] In a 50-mL three-necked flask, 20 mL of oleylamine was added, and the temperature was raised to 100° C. under vacuum. Then, 2.5 mmol of tungsten carbonyl was added, and the temperature was raised to 330° C. under nitrogen.

[0077] The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. After stirring, the mixture was cooled to room temperature. The resulting black solution was washed several times with a mixed solution of ethanol and hexane (ethanol:hexane=1:1). After washing, the resulting material was centrifuged to prepare black powder.

[0078] (Preparation of Mixture of Pt.Math.NPs/C and WO.sub.3-x Cluster)

[0079] Here, 20.0 mg of Pt.Math.NPs/C obtained in Comparative Example 1 and 1.4 mg of the above-obtained WO.sub.3-x cluster were mixed to prepare a mixture. The resulting mixture is denoted as Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x.

[0080] (To Prepare Electrode)

[0081] Ink was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 except that PtW.Math.NPs/C was replaced by Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x. The ink was applied to a rotating disk electrode, so that the amount of Pt was the same as in Example 3, and dried under air.

[0082] (Evaluation as HER Catalyst)

[0083] Cyclic voltammetry (CVs) was conducted using Ag/AgCl, Pt wire, and 0.5 M H.sub.2SO.sub.4 as a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte, respectively (FIGS. 9a-c). FIG. 9a represents comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C, FIG. 9b represents Pt.Math.NPs/C, and FIG. 9c represents PtW.Math.NPs/C. In addition, FIG. 9d shows the electrochemically active surface area (effective surface area: ECSA) calculated from the CVs. The ECSA of PtW.Math.NPs/C was larger than that of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C or Pt.Math.NPs/C. FIG. 10a shows the LSV polarization curves for comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C (upper line), Pt.Math.NPs/C (middle line), and PtW.Math.NPs/C (lower line). The overvoltage of PtW.Math.NPs/C was 19.4 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm.sup.2, which was much lower than that of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C (26.3 mV) or Pt.Math.NPs/C (25.9 mV). The hydrogen evolution half-reaction in acidic solution is expressed by 2H.sup.++2e.sup.−.fwdarw.H.sub.2. In other words, at a certain potential, the more the current (electrons), the more hydrogen is generated and the more active the electrode is. In addition, FIG. 10b shows the Pt mass activity at either η of 0.01 V or 0.02 V. The mass activity of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C is shown on the left, that of Pt.Math.NPs/C is shown in the middle, and that of PtW.Math.NPs/C is shown on the right at each voltage. The mass activity of PtW.Math.NPs/C was 99.1 A/g or 566.1 A/g at η of 0.01 V or 0.02 V, respectively, which was 2.9 times or 3.7 times higher than that of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C, respectively. Also, the mass activity was 2.2 times or 2.5 times that of Pt.Math.NPs/C. FIG. 10c shows the Pt specific activity at either η of 0.01 V or 0.02 V. The activity per effective unit area of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C is shown on the left, that of Pt.Math.NPs/C is shown in the middle, and that of PtW.Math.NPs/C is shown on the right at each voltage. The specific activity of PtW.Math.NPs/C was 1.4 mA/cm.sup.2 or 8.2 mA/cm.sup.2 at η of 0.01 V or 0.02 V, respectively, which was 1.6 times or 2.2 times higher than that of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C, respectively. Also, the specific activity was 1.8 times or 1.7 times that of Pt.Math.NPs/C, respectively. FIGS. 10a-c have revealed that the activity per effective unit area and the activity per mass of PtW.Math.NPs/C are much higher than those of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C or Pt.Math.NPs/C. This means that PtW.Math.NPs/C has an ability to generate hydrogen from water at small potentials. Specifically, this indicates that PtW.Math.NPs/C has higher HER activity than comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C or Pt.Math.NPs/C.

[0084] In addition, a voltage of 100 mV was applied over 2 hours to a PtW.Math.NPs/C electrode, a comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C electrode, or a Pt.Math.NPs/C electrode to evaluate their stability. Ag/AgCl, a carbon rod, and 0.5 M H.sub.2SO.sub.4 were used as a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte, respectively. FIG. 11 shows the results as i-t curves. The comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C, Pt.Math.NPs/C, and PtW.Math.NPs/C are in the order such that the j.sub.spe at 7200 seconds is closer to 0. It was found that the current density of PtW.Math.NPs/C remained approximately 2.1 times higher than that of comm-Pt.Math.NPs/C or Pt.Math.NPs/C even after continuous application of potential for 2 hours. PtW.Math.NPs was demonstrated to be highly stable under acidic conditions. To further confirm the effect of PtW.Math.NPs/C, the results of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) measurements of Pt.Math.NPs/C and Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x are shown in FIG. 12. Pt.Math.NPs/C and Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x are in the order such that the j.sub.geo at −10 is closer to 0. As shown in FIG. 12, the activity of Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x is similar to that of Pt.Math.NPs/C. This indicates that PtW.Math.NPs/C, which is a solid solution comprising Pt and W in solid solution at an atomic level, exhibits much higher activity than Pt.Math.NPs/C+WO.sub.3-x, which has been mechanically mixed with WO.sub.3-x.

EXAMPLE 4

[0085] (Preparation of PtW.Math.NPs on Alumina)

[0086] PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs obtained in Example 1 was supported on alumina (AKP-G15, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; γ-alumina) by the following process. To a 110-mL vial were added 16.7 mg of PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs, 25 mL of hexane, and 1.0 mL of oleylamine. The mixture was subjected to sonication for 30 minutes. Subsequently, 30 mL of 2-propanol suspension containing 183.3 mg of γ-alumina, which had been previously sonicated for 30 minutes, was added to the above 110-mL vial, and the mixture was sonicated for another 1 hour. The target material recovered by centrifugation was washed several times with a mixture of hexane and ethanol, and then further washed with acetone. The recovered powder was inspected. In the process of allowing PtW@WO.sub.3-x.Math.NPs to be supported on alumina, WO.sub.3-x in the shell was peeled off and disappeared, and platinum-tungsten solid solution particles were found to be supported on alumina. The resulting particles having the platinum-tungsten solid solution particles supported on alumina are denoted as PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIGS. 13a-e show a HAADF-STEM image and the results of elemental mapping after the particles are supported on alumina.

[0087] FIG. 13a shows the HAADF-STEM image, FIG. 13c shows the results of elemental mapping of Pt (green), FIG. 13d shows the results of elemental mapping of W (red), and FIG. 13e shows the results obtained by superimposing the results of FIGS. 6c and 6d. FIG. 13b is a chart showing the line profiles of Pt and W recorded along the arrow in the HAADF-STEM image at the upper right in the chart. The upper broken line (green) represents Pt and the lower broken line (red) represents W. In FIG. 13e, W at the periphery of Pt as in FIG. 2d is absent. In FIG. 13b, the presence of W at the periphery of Pt as in FIG. 2e was also not observed. Thus, the WO.sub.3-x shell layer disappeared after the particles were supported on alumina.

Comparative Example 5

[0088] (Preparation of Pt.Math.NPs on Alumina)

[0089] Pt.Math.NPs obtained in Comparative Example 1 were supported on the same alumina as in Example 4 by the following process. To a 110-mL vial were added 12.2 mg of Pt.Math.NPs, 25 mL of hexane, and 1.0 mL of oleylamine. The mixture was subjected to sonication for 30 minutes. Subsequently, 30 mL of 2-propanol suspension containing 187.8 mg of γ-alumina, which had been previously sonicated for 30 minutes, was added to the above 110-mL vial, and the mixture was sonicated for another 1 hour. The target material recovered by centrifugation was washed several times with a mixture of hexane and ethanol, and then further washed with acetone. The resulting particles having Pt.Math.NPs supported on alumina are denoted as Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

Comparative Example 6

[0090] (Preparation of (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x) on Alumina)

[0091] Pt.Math.NPs and WO.sub.3-x were supported on the same alumina as in Example 4 by the following process. To a 110-mL vial were added 12.2 mg of Pt.Math.NPs, 10.4 mg of WO.sub.3-x cluster, 25 mL of hexane, and 1.0 mL of oleylamine. The mixture was subjected to sonication for 30 minutes. Subsequently, 30 mL of 2-propanol suspension containing 187.8 mg of γ-alumina, which had been previously sonicated for 30 minutes, was added to the above 110-mL vial, and the mixture was sonicated for another 1 hour. The target material recovered by centrifugation was washed several times with a mixture of hexane and ethanol, and then further washed with acetone. The resulting particles having Pt.Math.NPs and WO.sub.3-x supported on alumina are denoted as (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0092] (CO Hydrogenation Reaction)

[0093] PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3(with 3.65 mg of Pt) obtained in Example 4 was exposed to a mixed gas of Ar, CO and H.sub.2 (Ar:CO:H.sub.2 in the volume ratio of 20:30:10) at a pressure of 0.7 MPa and a temperature of 100° C., 200° C., 300° C., 400° C., or 450° C. The CO conversion and the converted gas species were measured by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the gas detected by gas chromatography installed at the end of the system. FIG. 14 shows the results. FIG. 14(a) is a graph indicating each CO conversion, and FIG. 14 (b) is a graph showing the kind and percentage of each product.

[0094] A test was conducted in the same manner as in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Example 4, except that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Example 4 was replaced by Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Comparative Example 5. FIG. 14 shows the results.

[0095] A test was conducted in the same manner as in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Example 4, except that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Example 4 was replaced by (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Comparative Example 6. FIG. 14 shows the results.

[0096] In FIG. 14(a), the line with the highest CO conversion at 450° C. corresponds to PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the second highest line corresponds to Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and the lowest line corresponds to (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. As shown in FIG. 14(a), PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 exhibited CO conversion five times or higher than that of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 at, for example, 400° C., indicating a significant increase in conversion. As shown in FIG. 14 (b), the kinds of gas produced were similar for the case of using both catalysts at 300° C. About 80% of the product was CH.sub.4. On the other hand, at 400° C. or higher, in the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, majority of the product was CH.sub.4. As in the case at 300° C., a CH.sub.4-rich product was obtained. This suggests that the reaction of the following scheme (1) occurs in the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 at both low and high temperatures.

nCO+(2n+1)H.sub.2.fwdarw.C.sub.nH.sub.2n+2+nH.sub.2O  (1)

[0097] In contrast, in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, a mixture of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 was obtained at 400° C. or higher. Therefore, in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the reaction in scheme (1) is considered to proceed at low temperatures, but at 400° C. or higher, in addition to the reaction in scheme (1), the aqueous gas shift reaction in scheme (2) is also expected to occur due to the produced water vapor and CO, thereby resulting in CO.sub.2. In other words, the high activity of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is attributed to the predominant proceeding of the reaction in scheme (1) due to the consumption of H.sub.2O by the aqueous gas shift reaction. The results also indicate that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 can be used as a catalyst for aqueous gas shift.

CO+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.CO.sub.2+H.sub.2  (2)

[0098] PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 before and after the CO hydrogenation reaction was subjected to XRD measurement.

[0099] FIG. 15 shows the results. FIG. 15(a) shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and FIG. 15(b) shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Note that the baseline for alumina-carrier sample was subtracted, and fitting was performed by Le Bail fitting. The results of XRD measurement has demonstrated that the X-ray diffraction peaks of any of the samples were sharpened before and after the CO hydrogenation reaction. The crystallite size was actually estimated from the fitting and compared between before and after the reaction. In the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the size increase was 2.8-fold since the size was 5.4 nm before the reaction and 15.3 nm after the reaction. By contrast, in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the size increase was 1.5-fold since the size was 5.0 nm before the reaction and 7.6 nm after the reaction. In the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, an increase in the crystallite size was found to be suppressed. Further, a change in the particle size of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 between before and after the CO hydrogenation reaction was observed by TEM. FIG. 16 shows the results. FIG. 16(a) shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and FIG. 16(b) shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. The particle size was also determined by TEM. The size of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was found to be increased 2.4-fold, and the size of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was found to be increased 1.4-fold. This has demonstrated that in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, an increase in the particle size due to sintering can be suppressed.

EXAMPLE 5

[0100] (CO.sub.2 Hydrogenation Reaction)

[0101] PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3(with 3.65 mg of Pt) was exposed to a mixed gas of Ar, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 (Ar:CO.sub.2:H.sub.2 in the volume ratio of 20:30:10) at a pressure of 0.7 MPa and a temperature of 100° C., 200° C., 300° C., 400° C., or 450° C. The CO.sub.2 conversion and the converted gas species were measured by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the gas detected by gas chromatography installed at the end of the system. FIG. 17 shows the results. FIG. 17(a) is a graph indicating each CO.sub.2 conversion, and FIG. 17 (b) is a graph showing the kind and percentage of each product.

Comparative Example 7

[0102] A test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 5 except that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was replaced by Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 17 shows the results.

Comparative Example 8

[0103] A test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 5 except that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was replaced by (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 17 shows the results.

[0104] In FIG. 17(a), the line with the highest CO.sub.2 conversion at 450° C. corresponds to PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the second highest line corresponds to (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and the lowest line corresponds to Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. As shown in FIG. 17(a), PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 exhibited CO.sub.2 conversion 17 times or higher than that of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 at, for example, 300° C., indicating a significant increase in conversion. As shown in FIG. 17 (b), the kinds of gas produced at 300° C., namely the product was mostly CH.sub.4 in the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. In the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, however, majority of the product was CO. The results have revealed that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 exhibits high CO.sub.2 conversion and CO production even at a low temperature range. On the other hand, at temperatures 400° C. or higher, CO accounted for 80% or more of the gas species produced in any of the samples. For Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the reaction of scheme (3) is considered to occur at 300° C., while the reaction of scheme (4) is considered to prevail at 400° C. or higher.

CO.sub.2+4H.sub.2.fwdarw.CH.sub.4+2H.sub.2O  (3)

CO.sub.2+H.sub.2.fwdarw.CO+H.sub.2O  (4)

[0105] In addition, as the temperature increased, the reaction of scheme (1) with the generated CO and H.sub.2 proceeded to yield CH.sub.4. The resulting product selectivity thereby seemed to be decreased. However, the CO selectivity of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was above 98% at 300° C., and at 400° C., the CO selectivity of 80% was also recorded. Further, Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 also showed a similar trend in CO selectivity, but the CO.sub.2 conversion was much lower than that of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 as described above. In (Pt.Math.NPs+WO.sub.3-x)/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, high CO selectivity was observed at 300-450° C., but the CO.sub.2 conversion was much lower than in PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 as shown above. PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 has high CO.sub.2 conversion and CO selectivity in any range at 300-450° C.

[0106] PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 before and after the CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction was subjected to XRD measurement. FIG. 18 shows the results. FIG. 18(a) shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and FIG. 18(b) shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Note that the baseline for alumina-carrier sample was subtracted, and fitting was performed by Le Bail fitting. The results of XRD measurement has demonstrated that the X-ray diffraction peaks of any of the samples were sharpened before and after the CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction. The crystallite size was actually estimated from the fitting and compared between before and after the reaction. In the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the size increase was 2.1-fold since the size was 6.0 nm before the reaction and 12.5 nm after the reaction. By contrast, in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the size increase was 1.2-fold since the size was 7.8 nm before the reaction and 9.1 nm after the reaction. In the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, an increase in the crystallite size was found to be suppressed. Further, a change in the particle size of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 between before and after the CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction was observed by TEM. FIG. 19 shows the results. FIG. 19(a) shows the results of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and FIG. 19(b) shows the results of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. The particle size was determined by TEM. In the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, a 1.9-fold increase in size was observed. In contrast, no size increase was observed for PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. This has demonstrated that in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, an increase in the particle size due to sintering can be suppressed even in the CO.sub.2 hydrogenation reaction.

EXAMPLE 6

[0107] The same conditions and processes as in Example 5 at a temperature of 400° C. were used to repeatedly conduct a durability test using PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3(with 3.65 mg of Pt) sample. FIG. 20 shows the results of measuring each CO.sub.2 conversion during the five repetition tests. The CO.sub.2 conversion of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 as measured after the fifth test remained the same. No decrease in the CO.sub.2 conversion was observed. This indicates that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 has high durability.

Comparative Example 9

[0108] A test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 6 except that PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 was replaced by Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. FIG. 21 shows the results. The CO.sub.2 conversion of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 from the initial time as measured after the fifth test was found to be decreased.

[0109] FIG. 22 shows the powder X-ray diffraction patterns and crystallite sizes of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 before the start of the test and after the fifth repetition test during the five repetition tests in Example 6 or Comparative Example 9. In the case of Pt.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, a 1.9-fold increase in crystallite size from the initial time was observed. On the other hand, little increase in crystallite size was observed in the case of PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3. In other words, PtW.Math.NPs/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 has been demonstrated to have high durability in addition to the sintering suppression effect. Note that the same method as in the method shown in FIG. 15 was adopted for the crystallite size fitting in Example 4 and Comparative Example 5 to obtain the results.

EXAMPLE 7

[0110] In situ-temperature-variable powder X-ray diffractometry of carrier-free PtW.Math.NPs was performed under a hydrogen atmosphere (1-bar) while using synchrotron radiation at synchrotron radiation facility (SPring-8). FIG. 23 shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern and the crystallite size at each temperature.

Comparative Example 10

[0111] In situ-temperature-variable powder X-ray diffractometry of carrier-free Pt.Math.NPs was performed under a hydrogen atmosphere while using synchrotron radiation at synchrotron radiation facility (SPring-8). FIG. 24 shows the powder X-ray diffraction pattern and the crystallite size at each temperature.

[0112] FIG. 23 shows that in the temperature range up to 773 K under hydrogen, PtW.Math.NPs exhibited no change in the shape of the X-ray diffraction pattern and no increase in the crystallite size. By contrast, in the case of Pt.Math.NPs, the peak shapes of the X-ray diffraction patterns became sharper as the temperature increased, and a remarkable increase in crystallite size was observed. The results have revealed that in the case of PtW.Math.NPs, the effect of sintering in a reducing atmosphere can be suppressed. In addition, PtW.Math.NPs in Example 7 is free of a carrier. Thus, it is suggested that the sintering suppression effect is not due to the effect of the carrier but to the effect of the solid solution of platinum and tungsten.

[0113] This has demonstrated that platinum-tungsten solid solution nanoparticles (PtW.Math.NPs) elicit the sintering suppression effect even in hydrogen-involving catalytic reactions.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0114] The platinum-tungsten solid solution particles or the catalyst containing the particles according to the present invention may be suitably utilized as a catalyst for various reactions, or other reactions, such as hydrogen evolution, carbon monoxide hydrogenation, carbon dioxide hydrogenation, acetylene hydrogenation, ethylene hydrogenation, formation of CO.sub.2 from methane, aqueous gas shift, CO oxidation, and/or dehydrogenation (e.g., synthesis of benzene from cyclohexane).