Bimetallic nanomaterials with controlled size, composition and architecture for applications in electrocatalysis

• Grant number: 18/21546-5
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal researcher: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Igor Oliveira Rocha
• Home 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

This project proposes the development of polymetallic nanostructures with well-defined and controllable size, shape and composition. In special, we have the interest in obtaining gold and silver nanospheres decorated with palladium, platinum and ruthenium for being applied in electrocatalysis. The first stage will focus on the synthesis and characterization of Ag and Au nanospheres with diameters ranging between 20 and 40 nm which will be uses as supports for Pd, Pt and Ru nanoparticles. Specifically, we have the interest in developing materials like Ag-M and Au-M, where M = Pd, Pt or Ru with two types of defined architectures. In a second stage, the nanostructures of Ag-M and Au-M will be applied as electrocatalyzers in reactions of industrial interest as for the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols for hydrogen production or oxygen reduction for producing hydrogen peroxide. In this way, the control of the composition, shape and size of these systems (via manipulating the molar ratio between Ag and the quantity of metallic precursor added to the reaction will be optimized for obtaining a variety of nanomaterials with controlled properties for applications in electrocatalysis.