Neutralization Pseudocapacitors from Polyoxometallates

• Grant number: 16/05568-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fritz Cavalcante Huguenin
• Grantee: Jonas de Arruda Leite Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project involves studies directed to neutralization pseudocapacitors, aiming to produce electrical work from the increased partial entropy produced by pH change during the neutralization process of acid solutions. The low environmental impact generated in this process allows the use of these clean energy sources for sustainable growth. Moreover, this technology can be exploited in wastewater treatment in industries and sewage substations. Electrodes based on polyoxometalates with proton storage properties will be prepared and investigated for application as negative electrode in neutralization pseudocapacitors. Novel self-assembled matrices will be investigated from cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, electrochemical microbalance quartz crystal, and scanning electron microscopy. These experiments are important to evaluate the reversibility of the electro-insertion processes, guaranteeing maximum efficiency for the conversion from entropic energy to electrical work. Other important properties for the use of these host matrices are the charge storage capacity, stability in several chemical environment as well the charge compensation mechanism, which allows evaluating the selectivity for proton electro-insertion.