Development of photo-assisted direct alcohol fuel cell using anodes of modified TiO2 nanotubes

• Grant number: 16/25990-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Germano Tremiliosi Filho
• Grantee: Guilherme Garcia Bessegato
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/16930-7 - Electrocatalysis V: electrocatalytic processes of chemical and electrical energy interconversion, AP.TEM

Abstract

This research project aims the studies of electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic processes related to electrochemical systems for the chemical and electrical energy interconversion, in fuel cell devices. The main focus is associated to the study of reactions involved in fuel cells feed with organic molecules, especially ethanol and glycerol. Fundamental aspects of the electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis will be investigated on bulk metals (Pt, Pd, etc. and its alloys) catalysts and nanostructured semiconductor (TiO2) decorated with catalytic nanoparticles as Pt, Pd, etc, in neutral and lightly acidic or alkaline media. The investigations will include correlation between the electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activities and stabilities with the composition and structure of the nanoparticles. Finally, operational electrochemical investigations will be made on operating systems, directed alcohol fuel cells with and without photon assistance, using the most active electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts investigated in the previous stages. (AU)