Glycerol electrooxidation in alkaline medium using Pd/C, Au/C and PdAu/C electrocatalysts prepared by electron beam irradiation

Author(s)

Adriana N. Geraldes ^[1] ; Dionisio F. Silva ^[2] ; Júlio C. M. Silva ^[3] ; Rodrigo F. B. Souza ^[2] ; Estevam V. Spinacé ^[5] ; Almir O. Neto ^[2] ; Marcelo Linardi ^[2] ; Mauro C. Santos ^[1]

Affiliation

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

^[2] IPEN, CCCH, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares. Centro de Célula a Combustível e Hidrogênio - Brasil

^[4] Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares. Centro de Célula a Combustível e Hidrogênio - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 25, n. 5, p. 831-840, 2014-05-00.

Abstract

Pd/C, Au/C and PdAu/C electrocatalysts with different atomic ratios prepared using electron beam irradiation were tested for glycerol electrooxidation in single alkaline direct glycerol fuel cell (ADGFC). X-ray diffractograms (XRD) of PdAu/C electrocatalysts showed the presence of Pd (fcc) and Au (fcc) phases. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry showed that PdAu/C electrocatalyst with Pd:Au atomic ratio of 50:50 demonstrated superior activity for glycerol electrooxidation, at room temperature. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR) experiments were performed for the electrocatalysts, identifying oxalate, glycerate ion, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propanone, glyceraldehyde and glycolate as products of glycerol electrooxidation. Experiments with single ADGFC were carried out from 50 to 90 ºC, using Pd/C electrocatalyst; the best performance was obtained at 80 ºC. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03516-5 - Oxides-C supported electrocatalysts for direct liquid fuel cell anodes
• Grantee: Rodrigo Fernando Brambilla de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral