Patent ID: 7169731

Claim:
A method for forming a supported metal-containing powder, the method comprising: (i) forming a dispersion of a particulate support in a solution, the solution comprising a solvent and a dissolved metal, the particulate support comprising a pre-deposited material selected from the group consisting of a pre-deposited metal compound, a pre-deposited metal in its metallic oxidation state, and combinations thereof; (ii) removing heat from the dispersion to precipitate the dissolved metal from the solution onto the particulate support and to freeze the solution: (iii) after step (ii), separating the particulate support from the frozen solution by freeze drying to yield the supported metal-containing powder, the powder comprising the particulate support and a precipitated metal thereon, wherein during said separation at least a portion of the frozen solution is allowed to melt; and, (iv) after step (iii), forming an alloy on the particulate support, the alloy comprising metals derived from the pre-deposited material and the precipitated metal.