Exsolution of platinum nanoparticles from perovskite oxides: sustainable conversion of glycerol and the production of green hydrogen

• Grant number: 23/02033-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Pablo Sebastián Fernández
• Grantee: Swathi Patchaiammal Raju
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química (IQ)
• Associated research grant: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Increasing energy demands in recent decades force us to search for more sustainable ways for energy production. In this context, green hydrogen is a key energy vector to succeed in the energy transition. The cost-effective production of green hydrogen has still some challenges, being one of the most important to speed up the electro-oxidation of water in electrolyzers. Despite enormous efforts in the last decades, this reaction remains as a bottleneck for the entire process.Thus, an interesting approach to overcome this problem is to substitute the electro-oxidation of water with the electro-oxidation of organic molecules, where the organic oxidation occurs much faster on several catalysts. It is an even more interesting option if the organic is a biomass-derived resource that can produce value-added products through oxidation, for instance, glycerol.It is well-known that alcohols and polyols are oxidized on Pt-based materials in alkaline media at much lower potentials than water in Ir-based catalysts. However, as Pt is an expensive element, catalysts based on this material must be stable and content as low amount of Pt as possible. Therefore, the exsolution of nanoparticles (NPs) from perovskite oxides (PO) has emerged as a promising strategy for synthesizing stable metal NPs with tunable electronic and catalytic properties and minimizing the use of noble metal.Herein, we will study the electrochemical exsolution of Pt NPs from PO using several ex situ and in situ techniques. Afterwards, we will investigate the activity and selectivity of the materials for the electro-oxidation of glycerol in conventional three-electrode electrochemical cells. Finally, the more promising catalysts in terms of activity and selectivity will be used in an Anionic Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer. Primarily, we will optimize the exsolution process in the device. Subsequently, we will use it to produce green hydrogen and glycerol oxidation products. (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)

LIZ, NAHYAN T. P.; RAJU, SWATHI P.; FERNANDEZ, PABLO S.; SABADINI, EDVALDO. Responsive wormlike micelles based on aspirin's reaction with hydroxylamine. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, v. 695, p. 9-pg., 2025-10-01. (21/12071-6, 15/25406-5, 17/11986-5, 20/04431-0, 23/02929-9, 23/02033-5)