Electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction reaction on tungsten Ag-carbide electrocatalysts in alkaline medium

• Grant number: 13/04876-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Grantee: Ana Laura Gonçalves Biancolli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the present work, studies of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the alkaline medium will be conducted on various electrode materials formed by Ag nanoparticles composites dispersed on tungsten carbides, represented by Ag-WC/C. It will be employed different methods of catalyst preparations and distinct concentrations of Ag, which would be in the range from 10 to 80 wt.% of Ag with respect to WC/C. The effects of heat treatments on the structure and catalytic activity of these materials will be characterized. One of the aims of these investigations is to contribute to the elucidation of the important factors governing the catalytic activity of these materials for the ORR. The electrochemical studies will be performed using stead state polarization techniques using a thin porous coating rotating disk electrode. The ultimate goal is to obtain electrodes with optimized properties to efficiently promote the oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline medium. (AU)