Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using glycerol as reducing agent in alkaline medium: study of the variables of synthesis and application for the ethanol oxidation

• Grant number: 12/05627-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Germano Tremiliosi Filho
• Grantee: Eduardo de Barros Ferreira
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 09/07629-6 - Electrocatalysis IV: fundamental and applied aspects of electrocatalytic processes, bio-electrocatalysis and kinetic instabilities, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges for the commercialization of fuel cells is the preparation of active and robust catalysts. Emphasis has been devoted to the development of nano-sized catalysts with controllable size, composition and morphology. Current chemical methods of nanoparticle production may involve toxic reducing agents (such as hydrazine) and high temperatures (such those in the polyol method). In this project we intend to chemically synthesize and characterize gold nanoparticles through glycerol reduction in alkaline media at room temperature. Glycerol is commonly used as sweetener in food industry and readily biodegradable in aerobic conditions, which make it an excellent "green" alternative to the conventional reducing agents. The influences of glycerol concentration, stabilizing agent concentration, pH and salt precursor concentration will be correlated with size, shape and distribution of the nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles will also be directly anchored on carbon aiming their application in ethanol electro-oxidation. We expect the nanoparticles to be successfully applied in the future as catalysts in ethanol fuel cells. (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, AMANDA C.; CALIMAN, JULIA; FERREIRA, EDUARDO B.; TREMILIOSI-FILHO, GERMANO; LINARES, JOSE J.. Promotional Effect of Ag on the Catalytic Activity of Au for Glycerol Electrooxidation in Alkaline Medium. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 2, n. 7, p. 1036-1041, JUL 15 2015. (12/05627-9, 12/10856-7)

GARCIA, AMANDA C.; FERREIRA, EDUARDO B.; SILVA DE BARROS, VANINE V.; LINARES, JOSE J.; TREMILIOSI-FILHO, GERMANO. PtAg/MnOx/C as a promising electrocatalyst for glycerol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium. JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, v. 793, n. SI, p. 188-196, MAY 15 2017. (12/05627-9, 13/16930-7, 12/10856-7)