Investigation of plasmon enhanced ethanol electro-oxidation by AuRh catalyst: in situ and theoretical studies

• Grant number: 19/22505-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: January 11, 2020
• End date: December 20, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susana Inés Córdoba de Torresi
• Grantee: Maria Paula de Souza Rodrigues
• Supervisor: Katharina Krischer
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Technical University of Munich, Garching (TUM), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/16846-0 - Metal oxide nanowires decorated with gold nanoparticles for heterogeneous catalysis application, BP.DD

Abstract

Ethanol is a promising renewable fuel, as it is non-toxic, biomass derived, of easy transportation and storage, carbon neutral, and has a high energy density if completely oxidized to CO2. Aiming at the synthesis of a highly active and selective catalyst for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), several approaches have been explored. Among them, rational design and plasmonic properties play a key role in the development of new catalyst with unique properties. Hence, in this research project, we aim to evaluate the ethanol oxidation catalytic performance of a promising plasmonic catalyst comprised of rational designed bimetallic nanoparticles, which have gold in the nucleus and a dendritic rhodium shell. These nanostructures have been supported in Carbon Vulcan® for further electrochemical application. We intend to realize in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) studies for a systematical investigation of the reaction mechanism and catalytic properties of gold-rhodium nanostructures under light irradiation. Moreover, we intend to combine experimental and theoretical studies, performing computational simulations to achieve a deep understanding of the nanostructure plasmonic and catalytic properties. We expect to acquire more insights into EOR mechanism under light incidence as well. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RODRIGUES, MARIA P. S.; DOURADO, ANDRE H. B.; KRISCHER, KATHARINA; TORRESI, SUSANA I. CORDOBA. Gold-rhodium nanoflowers for the plasmon enhanced ethanol electrooxidation under visible light for tuning the activity and selectivity. Electrochimica Acta, v. 420, p. 9-pg., 2022-07-10. (21/00675-4, 19/22505-3, 15/26308-7, 18/16846-0)

RODRIGUES, MARIA P. S.; DOURADO, ANDRE H. B.; SAMPAIO DE OLIVEIRA-FILHO, ANTONIO G.; DE LIMA BATISTA, ANA P.; FEIL, MORITZ; KRISCHER, KATHARINA; CORDOBA DE TORRESI, SUSANA, I. Gold-Rhodium Nanoflowers for the Plasmon-Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction Reaction upon Visible Light. ACS CATALYSIS, v. 13, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2023-01-06. (21/00675-4, 18/16846-0, 15/26308-7, 19/22505-3)