Study of the effect of gold particle size on oxygen reduction reactions for the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide

• Grant number: 24/20403-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Robson da Silva Rocha
• Grantee: Vinicius Figuerôa
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM

Abstract

The proposed project aims to optimize the production of hydrogen peroxide (H¿O¿) via electrogeneration, investigating the impact of gold particle size on the efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The production of H¿O¿, widely used in industries and environmental processes, is mostly carried out by the anthraquinone reduction method, which has limitations in decentralized applications due to transportation and storage costs. In situ electrogeneration of H¿O¿ thus emerges as a promising alternative because it allows controlled and on-demand production. In this study, the focus is to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of different sizes of gold particles supported on commercial carbon (Printex XE2B). The wet impregnation technique will be used to obtain well-distributed gold atoms on the support, minimizing the use of noble metals without compromising catalytic activity. Reducing particle size allows for an increase in the available surface area, which enhances RRO efficiency by promoting the production of H¿O¿ via the 2-electron mechanism, while reducing the generation of water as a byproduct. The study involves electrochemical and structural characterizations to analyze the activity and stability of the electrocatalysts, seeking to understand how the size and dispersion of gold particles affect RRO selectivity. This project seeks to establish a scientific basis for future research on reducing the use of noble metals and replacing the support with sustainable carbons, aiming at scalability and application in larger reactors, in line with the research group's objectives of developing environmentally sustainable and economically viable solutions.