Study of the electrochemical formation of vacancies in Prussian Blue-based catalysts and their activity during the Water Oxidation Reaction

• Grant number: 22/04739-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Alves Bonacin
• Grantee: Ana Beatriz Sorana de Araujo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hydrogen obtained through water splitting can be regarded as an alternative to fossil fuels. Despite its seeming simplicity, the water oxidation reaction is kinetically sluggish and thermodynamically unfavorable, and this is the limiting step of the H2 production process. Therefore, the presence of a catalyst is required to overcome the energetic barrier. The objective of this project is to understand the mechanisms of water oxidation by Prussian blue analogues catalysts (CoFePBA) with electrochemically formed vacancies. Besides, we plan to understand the vacancies' effect in the catalyst activity and how they are spread over the electrode. In order to achieve the expected results, ex situ characterization techniques and in situ spectroelectrochemical techniques will be used.