Chemical method to create high stability heterogeneous carbon-bonded materials

PatentThe disclosure provides a method a method for generating a heterogeneous carbon-bonded material using an activated carbon support a solution comprising a material precursor and a chemical agent. The material precursor is typically a salt such as SnCI₂, and the chemical agent is a substance which thermally decomposes to generate reducing gases. The mixture is heated in an inert, nonreactive atmosphere to generate the reducing gases and remove surface groups from the carbon support, allowing material such as metal from the material precursor to nucleate and directly bond to the sites. The method typically utilizes high specific surface area carbon and may produce a p lurality of metal particles having an average diameter of less than about 20 nm dispersed on and strongly bonded to the underlying carbon support