Physical characterization and DAFC performance of core@shell nanocatalysts in alkaline media

• Grant number: 13/25632-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: April 25, 2014
• End date: April 24, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade
• Grantee: Rodrigo Garcia da Silva
• Supervisor: Boniface Kokoh
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université de Poitiers, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/07464-0 - Synthesis and application of nanocatalysts core-shell morphology based for the alcohols electro-oxidation in alkaline media., BP.DR

Abstract

The synthesis and applications of core@shell nanocatalysts, with high morphological organization, have become an attractive field research in fuel cells, because these nanostructured catalytic surfaces enhance organic molecules oxidation. Physical characterization of these nanoparticles is crucial to verify the efficiency of the method employed to synthesize the electrocatalyst and to understand its catalytic properties in the nanometer scale. To this end, techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and HAADF-STEM (High-Angle Annular Dark-Field/Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy) aid analysis of the surface composition and distribution of the metals constituting the nanocatalysts, providing complete mapping of its structure and morphology.To complement investigation into the electrocatalytic activities promoted by these nanocatalysts during direct alcohols oxidation, it is necessary to apply online and in situ techniques to identify intermediates and elucidate the reaction mechanisms and pathways followed by each specific nanocatalyst composition. In this context, online DEMS (Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry) and in situ FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) experiments integrated with electrochemical techniques are excellent tools to evaluate electrocatalyst efficiency and performance in fuel cell devices.The experimental procedures to be conducted abroad in the framework of a BEPE internship will concern the physical characterization of the nanocatalysts prepared along the PhD project approved and supported by FAPESP in Brazil. The aim will be to analyze the surface composition and metal distribution in the nanocatalysts, to fully map their structure and morphology. Then, controlled potential electrolysis will be accomplished in alkaline medium, to promote alcohol oxidation while simultaneously analyzing the products adsorbed at the interface, by in situ FTIR and online HPLC. At the end of the internship, mechanisms for alcohol oxidation in the presence of the synthesized nanocatalysts will be proposed. (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)

HOLADE, YAOVI; DA SILVA, RODRIGO G.; SERVAT, KARINE; NAPPORN, TEKO W.; CANAFF, CHRISTINE; DE ANDRADE, ADALGISA R.; KOKOH, KOUAKOU B.. Facile synthesis of highly active and durable PdM/C (M = Fe, Mn) nanocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline medium. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, v. 4, n. 21, p. 8337-8349, JUN 7 2016. (13/25632-0)