Phases and domains characterization of AOT/n-butanol/n-heptane/water system for preparation of metallic nanoparticles for electrocatalysis

• Grant number: 05/01729-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2006
• End date: December 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Hebe de las Mercedes Villullas
• Grantee: Arthur Raposo Malheiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, the study of phase behavior and domains of the pseudo-ternary system AOT/n-butanol/n-heptane/water will be carried out aiming to establish the experimental conditions adequate for obtaining reverse microemulsions with the purpose of using them for the preparation of nanoparticulated electrocatalysts. The project involves the construction of the pseudo-ternary phase diagram of the AOT/n-butanol/n-heptane/water system and, within the region of microemulsion, the determination of the domains of direct and reverse microemulsions and bicontinuous structures. The size of the nanoreactors in the region of w/o microemulsion will be estimated from electrochemical measurements and the system will be tested for the synthesis of colloidal Pt-Fe nanoparticles (< 10 nm).