Low content cerium oxide nanoparticles on carbon for hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis

Author(s):Show less -

Assumpcao, M. H. M. T. ^[1] ; Moraes, A. ^[1] ; De Souza, R. F. B. ^[1] ; Gaubeur, I. ^[1] ; Oliveira, R. T. S. ^[2] ; Antonin, V. S. ^[1] ; Malpass, G. R. P. ^[3] ; Rocha, R. S. ^[4] ; Calegaro, M. L. ^[4] ; Lanza, M. R. V. ^[4] ; Santos, M. C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Abc, CCNH, LEMN, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Triangulo Mineiro, ICBN, BR-38025180 Uberaba, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Triangulo Mineiro, Inst Ciencias Tecnol & Exatas, BR-38064200 Uberaba, MG - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, Grp Mat Eletroquim & Metodos Eletroanalit, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL; v. 411, p. 1-6, JAN 16 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 55

Abstract

A comparative study using different proportions of CeO2/C (4%, 9% and 13% CeO2) was performed to produce H2O2, a reagent used in the oxidation of organic pollutants and in electro-Fenton reactions for the production of the hydroxyl radical (OH center dot), a strong oxidant agent used in the electrochemical treatment of aqueous wastewater. The CeO2/C materials were prepared by a modified polymeric precursor method (PPM). X-ray diffraction analysis of the CeO2/C prepared by the PPM identified two phases. CeO2 and CeO2. The average size of the crystallites in these materials was close to 7 nm. The kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were evaluated by the rotating ring-disk electrode technique. The results showed that the 4% CeO2/C prepared by the PPM was the best composite for the production of H2O2 in a 1 mol L-1 NaOH electrolyte solution. For this material, the number of electrons transferred and the H2O2 percentage efficiency were 3.1 and 44%, respectively. The ring-current of the 4% CeO2/C was higher than that of Vulcan carbon, the reference material for H2O2 production, which produced 41% H2O2 and transferred 3.1 electrons per molecule of oxygen. The overpotential for this reaction on the ceria-based catalyst was substantially lower (approximately 200 mV), demonstrating the higher catalytic performance of this material. Gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) containing the catalyst were used to evaluate the real amount of H2O2 produced during exhaustive electrolysis. The 4% CeO2/C GDE produced 871 mg L-1 of H2O2, whereas the Vulcan carbon GDE produced a maximum amount of only 407 mg L-1. Thus, the 4% CeO2/C electrocatalyst prepared by the PPM is a promising material for H2O2 electrogeneration in alkaline media. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/16511-6 - Energy generation from biofuel using nanostructures
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/04759-0 - Gas diffusion electrodes modified by organometallic compounds for hydrogen peroxide production
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/09145-6 - Study of ethanol electrochemical oxidation mechanism on PtSn, PtCe and PtSnCe using in-situ spectroscopic techniques
• Grantee: Rodrigo Fernando Brambilla de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/04539-3 - Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured electrocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide in situ obtention and subsequent degradation of organic pollutants
• Grantee: Mônica Helena Marcon Teixeira Assumpção
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)