Synthesis of Nb nanooctahedra decorated with Pd nanoparticles for application as anodes of alkaline-acid direct ethanol fuel cells.

• Grant number: 25/08467-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Grantee: Gabriel Cintra dos Santos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/15252-4 - Nanostructured electrocatalysts for application in direct alkaline-acid fuel cells of glycerol, AP.BIOEN.R

Abstract

Fuel cells are energy alternatives that attract attention due to the potential application they have, however, they need highly efficient and selective electrocatalysts to overcome one of their operational limitations. This project aims to develop nanostructured electrocatalysts (Nb oxide nanooctahedra decorated with Pd nanoparticles supported on XC72 high surface area carbon) for application as anodes of direct alkaline-acid ethanol fuel cells. In alkaline-acid cells, the oxidation reaction of ethanol in alkaline medium will be the reaction at the anode of the cell, and the hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction in acid medium will be the reaction at the cathode of the cell. The catalytic activity of the decorated electrocatalysts against the ethanol oxidation reaction will be investigated from the application of electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric tests and polarization curves. Stability tests will allow to evaluate how stable the catalytic surfaces remain under longer reaction time conditions. Finally, the efficiency of electrocatalysts decorated in a direct alkaline-acid ethanol fuel cell will be investigated from their application in a bench cell. With the combination of metals in the composition and the formation of the morphology, it is sought to improve the catalytic efficiency of the electrocatalyst surfaces, both in terms of selectivity and oxidative potential, since it directly influences the energy efficiency of the fuel cell. (AU)