Investigation of the electrocatalytic properties of MXenes for HER and ORR in acid media

• Grant number: 24/16253-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Sydney Ferreira Santos
• Grantee: Vinícius dos Passos de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/22183-6 - Electrocatalysis VI: fundamental and applied aspects of emerging and classical problems in electrochemical energy conversion, AP.TEM

Abstract

MXenes is a class of bidimensional carbides and nitrides which attracts great attention for several technological applications, including energy-related one. Since MXenes encompass several different compounds with distinct crystal structures, chemical compositions and surface chemistries, there are several opportunities for developing materials suitable for technological use in clean energy production and storage such as active materials in battery and supercapacitor electrodes, as well as electrocatalysts for several reaction of interest, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), etc. In this direct doctorate project, the electrochemical properties of Ti and Nb based compounds and their derivatives will be investigated for HER and ORR, which are relevant reaction in energy related systems. Moreover, the applicability of these materials in supercapacitors will be evaluated too. Finally, the interplay between the synthesis routes, materials features and electrochemical properties will be determined.