Study of the electrocatalytic profile obtained by the combination of different carbonaceous matrices applied for the electrogeneration of H2O2 via the oxigen reduction reaction (ORR)

• Grant number: 24/05691-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Bruna Midori Araba do Monte
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of processes involving the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) aiming at the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been a focus in electrochemical studies due to the complexity of obtaining electrocatalysts that have selectivity for the in situ electrogeneration of H2O2 via 2e-, as well as presenting low cost in the processes involved in their synthesis. Carbonaceous matrices are a class of electrocatalysts widely applied to RRO processes, however, despite having a certain selectivity for this reaction, they require the incorporation of metallic modifiers in their structures to obtain a greater selectivity effect for RRO 2e-. In this manner, this project envisages the combination of different carbonaceous matrices, seeking to obtain electrocatalytic effects similar to those caused by metallic modifiers using commercial carbonaceous matrices of the type Printex L6 (CPL6), Printex XE2B (CPXE2B) and graphene oxide as electrocatalysts. The effect caused by the combination of these different carbonaceous matrices in relation to RRO 2e- will be obtained through electrochemical tests using the rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE) and the gas diffusion electrode (GDE). These carbonaceous materials will be characterized using contact angle techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), N2 physisorption (BET ), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thus, it is expected to obtain high selectivity rates for RRO 2e- using electrocatalysts based on the combination of carbonaceous materials that have low production costs. It is worth mentioning that in the literature there is almost no research that evaluates the electrocatalytic effects obtained by combining different carbonaceous matrices that have different physicochemical properties.