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| Author(s): |
Érica de Camargo Bortholin
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Carlos. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC/BT) |
| Defense date: | 2007-01-25 |
| Examining board members: |
Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez;
Adalgisa Rodrigues de Andrade;
Antonio Carlos Dias Angelo;
Paulo Olivi;
Germano Tremiliosi Filho
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| Advisor: | Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez |
| Abstract | |
Modern society integrally depends on the production and consumption of energy for its activities like cooking, lighting and transportation and also for industrial processes. The increase in the demand for energy increases the levels of pollution, which has a direct negative effect in human health. Thus, it is imperative to search for new power sources which, under ideal conditions, do not pollute the environment. One of the alternatives to attack this problem is the electrochemical energy conversion of chemical energy into electricity which can be carried out in an efficient and clean way with fuel cells. Presently, there is a great interest in fuel cells that oxidize methanol directly, for application in vehicles, portable devices and distributed generation. To make these cells a reality it is still necessary much progress in the understanding of the electrodic phenomena associated to the oxidation of methanol, and in the development of suitable electrocatalysts, at both the fundamental and the technological levels. In this work, PtW; PtOs, PtRuW and PtWOs eletrocatalysts, supported on high surface area carbon, for the direct oxidation of methanol were developed. The catalysts were prepared by reduction with formic acid of the corresponding precursors and by Bonnëmann´s method. Their composition was determined by XRD. The average particle size was determined from TEM, and the results compared to crystallite sizes determined from x-ray diffractograms. The electrochemical studies were carried out with cyclic voltammetry and steady state polarization curves using the thin porous coating electrode technique. Some catalysts were also studied by the EXAFS technique. The catalysts prepared show activity in the potential region of interest, and some of then were tested in single fuel cells. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 02/08028-7 - Development and study of supported electrocatalysts for fuel cells |
| Grantee: | Erica de Camargo Bortholin |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |