Direct alcohol fuel cell development: high power prototype production

Author(s)

Lívia Martins da Palma

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2015-05-20

Examining board members

Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade; Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima; Paulo Olivi; Josimar Ribeiro; Mauro Coelho dos Santos

• Advisor: Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade

Abstract

In this thesis it was investigated ethanol and glycerol oxidation in alkaline medium using different noble metal catalysts supported on Vulcan carbon prepared by microwave irradiation synthesis, for application in fuel cell devices. In this context, catalysts in the ratio metal:carbon 40:60% were prepared using two noble metals: Pt-based catalysts (PtM/C, M = Sn, Ru and Ni); and Pd-based catalysts (PdM/C, M = Sn, Ru, Ni, Rh, Fe and Mn). The experimental compositions obtained by EDX were close to nominal values. All the catalysts exhibited cubic face-centered geometry characteristics of its respective noble metal. Catalysts Pd54Fe46/C and Pd71Ru29/C also presented of iron and ruthenium oxides phases, Pd2Sn phase is also observed for Pd61Sn39/C catalyst. Particles and crystallites around 2 to 7 nm were observed. Among all catalysts studied for ethanol electro-oxidation ([Ethanol]=1.0 mol L-1 + [NaOH]=1.0 mol L-1), Pt45Sn55/C catalyst was the most active, the yield of acetic acid and acetaldehyde are higher for this composition. Pd-based catalysts, Pd54Fe46/C and Pd61Sn39/C showed very similar electrochemical behavior; however, for Pd54Fe46/C catalyst the amount of acetic acid (4 electrons) formed are three times higher. Pt86Ru14/C catalyst presented the highest catalytic activities for glycerol electro-oxidation ([glycerol]=0.5 mol L-1 + [NaOH]=1.0 mol L-1). The main products formed during glycerol electrolysis were glyceric acid, tartronic acid, 1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the amount of products formed employing Pt86Ru14/C catalyst was almost three times higher than Pt/C catalyst. The formation of a product with higher added-value, 1,3-DHA, is interesting in electro-synthetic point of view. The reactivity order were observed for Pd catalysts are: PdRu/C > PdFe/C > PdMn/C > PdRh/C > PdSn/C. Tartronic acid (6 electrons) and 1,3-DHA (2 electrons) were only identified at PdRh/C and PdFe/C catalysts (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/10213-6 - Development of direct alcohols fuel cells: production of prototypes of high power
• Grantee: Livia Martins da Palma
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate