Fundamental and applied studies of the electrode processes on low temperature fuel cells

• Grant number: 04/10788-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2005
• End date: September 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Grantee: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez
• Associated scholarship(s): 08/10529-0 - Development and characterization of nanoparticulated electrocatalysts of PtMo/C and PtW/C for the hydrogen oxidation reaction on the presence of CO in PEM fuel cells, BP.DR; 08/03414-2 - Development of a biofuel cell of glucose/oxygen: utilization of the technique of microfluidics, BP.DD; 07/07759-1 - Development of bioelectrodes for low temperature fuel cell - study of the biocatalysts immobilization and their application in systems with direct electron transfer (DET) and mediated electron transfer (MET), BP.PD

Abstract

This research project is dedicated to the development of dispersed electrocatalysts and gas diffusion electrodes for the anodic and cathodic reactions on alkaline (AFC) and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, particularly those operating with hydrogen contaminated with CO and those directly oxidizing methanol in solution. The research will be conducted on the basis of the following specific objectives: (1) preparation and characterization of electrocatalyst materials composed by pure or alloyed platinum, finely dispersed on high surface area carbons and employed for fabrication of gas diffusion electrodes. Special efforts will be dedicated to the studies of CO tolerant catalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction, the catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline and acid electrolytes, and catalysts for the direct oxidation of methanol. (2) preparation and characterization of gas diffusion electrodes with optimized structures for the hydrogen oxidation, oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions. The factors related to mass transport limitations under different conditions within the electrode structure will be also considered; (3) characterization of the role of the catalyst-support and metal-metal interactions on the electronic properties of the active element, morphology and particle size of the supported metals or alloys. Theoretical and experimental research of the behavior of gas diffusion electrodes in alkaline and PEM single cells, working under real operational conditions. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GARCIA‚ A.C.; PAGANIN‚ V.A.; TICIANELLI‚ E.A.. CO tolerance of PdPt/C and PdPtRu/C anodes for PEMFC. Electrochimica Acta, v. 53, n. 12, p. 4309-4315, 2008. (04/10788-5)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project