Study of the oxidation of sulfur dioxide in nanostructured gold catalysts, influence of particle size

• Grant number: 18/07709-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Norberto Alves da Silva Júnior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/26308-7 - Optimization of the physicochemical properties of nano -structured materials for applications in molecular recognition, catalysis and energy conversion/storage, AP.TEM

Abstract

The high energy demand and recent environmental protection policies have resulted in a growing demand for sustainable energy sources. One solution would be the use of H2 in fuel cells. However, one of the factors that makes it unfeasible is the H2 production that requires the use of fossil fuels, via catalytic reforming, or a high potential difference, 2.0 V, via water electrolysis. A possible solution would be the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid to obtain sulfuric acid, widely used in industry and as an agricultural input, the byproduct of this electrochemical process is hydrogen gas. The mechanisms of reaction are still unknown. The most used catalyst is Pt, however, experimental and computational studies point to Au as being more efficient. In addition, the study of the nanostructure of the catalyst is extremely important in the optimization of the oxidation process of SO2, since there is a direct relationship between the activity by mass and the size of the nanoparticle.