Influence of the structural design of CeO2 porous nanorods decorated with bimetallic nanoparticles upon the optimization of water gas shift reaction

• Grant number: 18/07853-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal researcher: Italo Odone Mazali
• Grantee: Raul Bruno Machado da Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50906-9 - INCT 2014: in Functional Complex Materials, AP.TEM

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysis processes are at the very heart of many chemical process technologies employed today. The Water-Gas Shift Reaction (WGSR), which is currently highlighted in the literature, since one of its products, hydrogen gas, occupies a position of utmost importance inside this context of energetic revolution proposed to occur on the 21st century. Despite the existence of a wide range of catalysts for WGRS, none of them still allows commercial implementation of this reaction system in miniaturized models of energy production in an extensive array, such as in vehicle fuel cells, which are one of the great current promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this scope, this work proposes the synthesis of a catalytic system for WGSR with a new structural design based on a support consisting of CeO2 and ZrO2 porous nanorods, an even more catalytically active morphology compared to the bulk version due to the increased surface area inside the structure of the pores, to which metallic nanoparticles of gold and rhodium will be attached. Cerium (IV) oxide, CeO2, is a material of low toxicity, low obtention cost, in addition to be obtained in laboratory via a low complexity synthesis, characteristics that altogether set CeO2 as a high potential catalyst to be commercially employed. This oxide exhibits remarkable catalytic activity for the WGSR reaction, especially presented in its nanorod morphology, which has a structure of more vacancies and active structural planes. The integrated chemical systems composed of the metallic nanoparticles attached to the oxide catalytical bed synthesized in this work will be evaluated according to their catalytic activity of hydrogen production, size, operating temperature, morphology, composition, and finally, possibility of a upscale implementation in the application of catalytical systems for the water gas shift reaction. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Raul Bruno Machado da. Nanobastões porosos de CeO2-ZrOx decorados com nanopartículas de ouro para a catálise da reação de oxidação preferencial de monóxido de carbono. 2020. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química Campinas, SP.