| Grant number: | 03/03127-0 |
| Support type: | Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants |
| Duration: | October 01, 2003 - September 30, 2007 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry |
| Principal researcher: | Almir Oliveira Neto |
| Grantee: | Almir Oliveira Neto |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
The electro-oxidation reactions of ethyl glycol and ethanol will be studied on electrocatalysts based on Platinum-Ruthenium, Platinum-Tin and Platinum-Ruthenium-Tin dispersed in high surface area carbon. These catalysts will be prepared by modified formic acid and ethylene glycol method. The chemical composition of the electrocatalysts will be determined by EDX, the average size of the particles by X-ray diffraction. Other techniques, such as Infra-red Spectrometry and High Resolution Electron Microscope could be used for the characterization of the electrocatalysts produced. The performance of the electrocatalysts during the reactions will be studied through the voltammetric profiles. The electrocatalysts that demonstrate the best performance will be tested in unitary fuel cells of the solid polymer membrane type (polarization curves). Also to be carried out in this work will be a study of the optimization of the composition of the Pt-based catalysts, given that there are few studies in which ethylene glycol and ethanol are used as a fuel. (AU)