Semiconductor, polymeric, and carbonaceous composite electrodes ayming the synergy...
| Grant number: | 16/13323-0 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | September 01, 2016 - November 30, 2018 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry |
| Principal Investigator: | Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima |
| Grantee: | Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
The reactions involved in the carbon dioxide and water electrochemistry can be utilized in electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. The coupling of carbon dioxide electro-reduction and water electro-oxidation can be used in electrochemical devices of fuel production. On the contrary, the coupling of the electro-oxidation of molecules with high hydrogen content and the oxygen electro-reduction can be used in galvanic devices, such as fuel cells, for the conversion of chemical into electric energy. These four different mentioned electrochemical reactions have several kinetic issues that hamper the development of such devices. Considering this scenario, additional investigations are necessary in order to advance in the knowledge of the electrocatalyst features that govern the activity, selectivity and stability of these reactions. Therefore, the aim of this project is related to the synthesis and investigation of the electrocatalytic activity of eletrocatalysts for the reaction involved in the carbon dioxide and water electrochemistry. In order to advance in the understanding of the reaction electrocatalysis, here, it is also proposed the development and construction of modules and specific interfaces for the connection of different electrochemical cells, so that on-line monitoring of the reaction production is possible, in a mass spectrometer DEMS (Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry). The modules and the specific interfaces as necessary for studying reaction with strong parallel gas evolution, as is the case of the carbon dioxide electro-reduction, and for studying the electrocatalysis of reactions at elevated temperatures (100 - 140 oC), which will be the case of the ethanol electro-oxidation. As it will be discussed in this project, these reactions can not be investigated by employing the commonly used interfaces. The final objective is to establish the correlation between the composition and structure with the electrocatalytic activity, selectivity and stability of the electrocatalysts for the different electrochemical reactions. (AU)