Electrocatalytic contributions from Brazilian research groups for clean energy conversion and environmental remediation

Author(s)

Medina, Marina ; Carvalho, Vinicius Jose ; da Silva, Leanderson Araujo ; Borges, Gabriel Goncalves ; Capelupi, Thiago ; Piani, Arthur ; Mauriz, Pedro Paes ; Gomes, Joao Vitor ; de Brito, Juliana Ferreira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry; v. N/A, p. 41-pg., 2024-09-17.

Abstract

Our energy generation and other industrial processes on which our current lifestyle is based cause significant environmental impacts. Some widely employed industrial processes are major contributors to CO2 emissions. A prime example is ammonia production, which represents a high energy consumption, utilizes natural gas, and generates hundreds of millions of tons of CO2 annually. Proper waste treatment, alternatives to fossil fuels, and chemical compound production processes are crucial to address these issues. In this regard, (photo)electrochemical techniques such as electrocatalysis (EC) and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) can aid in the clean and cost-effective treatment of wastewater while also generating new fuels and commercially valuable chemical compounds. Reduction reactions can be specifically applied to (i) CO2 molecules, producing fuels; (ii) N-2 molecules, generating NH3; and (iii) H + species, producing H-2. Oxidation reactions can be employed for organic and inorganic molecules present in real effluents, aiming to treat contaminated water. Electrocatalytic Brazilian research groups have been contributing not only to those redox reaction investigations but also to the synthesis of electrocatalysts for both reactions, making them more cost-effective, specific, and efficient, opening new perspectives in the generation of environmentally friendly chemical compounds with added value, clean energy conversion (non-petroleum energy), and minimizing the economic impact of environmental wastewater treatments. Thus, this work offers for the first time insights into the strengths, challenges, and prospects of electrochemical applications in the fields of energy and environmental remediation in Brazil, highlighting the country's significance as a source of scientific knowledge on a global scale. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/00614-3 - Connecting Science and Society: Sustainability in Energy Generation
• Grantee: Gabriel Gonçalves Borges
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• FAPESP's process: 24/00777-0 - Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 simultaneous to the oxidation of the venlafaxine compound, using BiVO4/WO3 heterostructured photoanode and Fe nanoparticles supported on GDL cathode
• Grantee: Pedro Paes Mauriz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 23/14228-5 - Electrochemical recycling of metals from e-waste: a sustainable approach to product ammonia and green hydrogen
• Grantee: Marina Medina da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/10027-5 - Reduction of species such as H+, CO2, and N2 for energy generation concomitantly with oxidation of organic contaminants
• Grantee: Juliana Ferreira de Brito
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project