Upgrade in catalytic activity of hydrophobic platinum catalysts by irradiation with electron beams

Highlights: • The catalytic activity of irradiated Pt/SDBC catalysts was upgraded. • The catalytic activity was evaluated by means of the oxidation of tritium. • The reaction rate constant at the peak is six times larger than that of original. - Abstract: The development of hydrophobic platinum catalysts is important to realize the passive recombiner for fusion safety. The upgrade in catalytic activity of hydrophobic platinum catalysts is required since the catalysts generally decrease in catalytic activity with a decrease in temperature. To upgrade in catalytic activity of granular polymer supported hydrophobic platinum catalysts, application of irradiation with electron beams has demonstrated. After irradiation with electron beams, the catalytic activity was evaluated by means of assessing overall reaction rate constant for the oxidation of tritium. The overall reaction rate constant increased as increase in dose. The constant showed the peak value in the dose between 500 and 750 kGy. After the peak, the constant decreased as increase in dose. The overall reaction rate constant at the peak was 6 times larger than that evaluated with unirradiated. The mechanical strength of irradiated catalysts kept integrity until 1500 kGy. The irradiation is a promising method to the upgrading in catalytic activity of Pt/SDBC group catalysts.