Photo(electro)chemical applications for the production of renewable fuels using nanocomposites based on tin oxide (SnO and Sn3O4) and carbon compounds (reduced graphene oxide and graphitic carbon nitride)

• Grant number: 19/18856-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2020
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Ornaghi Orlandi
• Grantee: Fernanda da Costa Romeiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/24839-0 - Nanoelectronics and nanoscale electrochemistry: fundaments and applications, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/08240-7 - Electro and photoelectrochemical production of H2O2 for waste water cleaning and production of renewable fuels using pure and Nb5+ and W6+ doped Sn3O4, SnO2 semiconductors, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The detailed study regarding the formation of nanocomposites with high photoelectrochemical activity for hydrogen (H2) evolution as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in high added value compounds (CO, CH4, CH3OH, HCOOH, ethanol) is proposed. Since environmental and energy problems are among the most challenging issues facing the humanity nowadays, the development of efficient catalysts for the production of renewable fuels has become crucial. Thus, the main objectives of this project are: (i) to synthesize and characterize tin oxides in different oxidation states (SnO and Sn3O4), as well as their nanocomposites involving reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and also graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4); (ii) to evaluate the photoelectrochemical performance of these materials in order to produce high added value compounds; (iii) to determine/quantify the possible products generated and to investigate the mechanisms involved in CO2 reduction and H2 evolution. The catalysts will be examined by various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Infrared and Raman spectroscopies. This proposal will provide valuable information for the development of improved catalysts, contributing to the environment, academic and industrial interests. In addition, the candidate will be in contact with renowned researchers and research centers (BEPE) under the co-supervision of Prof. Dr. Krishnan Rajeshwar, allowing to her to acquire new knowledge, contributing to the interests of the UNESP-Araraquara research groups. (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)

ROMEIRO, F. C.; SILVA, B. C.; MARTINS, A. S.; ZANONI, M. V. B.; ORLANDI, M. O.. Superior performance of rGO-tin oxide nanocomposite for selective reduction of CO2 to methanol. JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION, v. 46, APR 2021. (14/50945-4, 19/18856-5, 17/26219-0, 17/13123-4)

ROMEIRO, FERNANDA DA COSTA; MARTINS, ALYSSON STEFAN; COSTA E SILVA, BEATRIZ; BOLDRIN ZANONI, MARIA VALNICE; ORLANDI, MARCELO ORNAGHI. Photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation at hybrid rGO-Sn3O4/SnO2 nanocomposite. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, v. 52, n. 10, p. 12-pg., 2022-07-28. (17/13123-4, 19/18856-5, 17/26219-0, 14/50945-4)