Synthesis, characterization and study of the electrocatalytic activity of Fe3-xVxO4 nanoparticles (0dxd0.04), applied in the oxygen reduction reaction process for H2O2 electrogeneration.

• Grant number: 22/14068-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Oswaldo Costa Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/01354-5 - Study of co-electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide and percarbonate in bicarbonate media by gas diffusion electrodes modified with Fe2O3 nanoparticles in a double cathode reactor, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been the focus of interest in electrochemical research for years due to the wide use of this compound as an oxidizing material in several procedures because it has a high reduction potential of +1.77 V. However, the use of ORR processes continues to be a challenge due to its kinetic complexity and high energy demand, resulting in high operational costs. In order to overcome these disadvantages, there is a necessity to study the influence of new electrocatalyst materials for use in these processes, in order to make the procedure economically viable, reducing costs and increasing the selectivity of H2O2 electrogeneration. With this aim, the present project proposes the synthesis of new nanomaterials based on nanoparticles (NPs) of the Fe3-xVxO4 type (0dxd0.04), anchored on the surface of Printex L6 carbon (CPL6) for application as electrocatalysts in the process of ORR for in situ production of H2O2. Initially, the electrogeneration of H2O2 will be evaluated using a solution of K2SO4 0.1 mol L-1 in alkaline (pH 9.0) and acid (pH 2.5) as supporting electrolyte, using a system of three electrodes, the electrode being Ag|AgCl reference electrode, platinum counter electrode and as working electrode the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) where the synthesized nanomaterials will be deposited forming a microlayer. Subsequently, these electrocatalysts will be evaluated using the gas diffusion electrode (GDS) made with carbon fabric, CPL6 and the NPs proposed by this project, in order to quantify the electrogeneration of H2O2, as well as to evaluate the parameters that most influence this process, as pH and applied current density.