Hierarchical structuring of Pd/TiO2 alcohol electrooxidation catalysts through reactive inkjet printing

Abstract

This research project has as objective the study of the electrocatalytic and photoeletrocatalytic processes in electrochemical systems of interconversion between chemical energy and electric energy in converting devices of the fuel cell type. The main focus is related to the study of reactions involved in fuel cells fed with organic molecules, especially ethanol and glycerol. We will study fundamental aspects of electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis on nanostructured catalysts prepared by various techniques, in particular by the glycerol method (developed in our research group) (Pt, Pd, etc. and its alloys) and deposited by an inkjet printing technique "On nanostructured semiconductors (TiO2) to make them decorated with metal nanoparticles that have catalytic effect, such as Pt, Pd, etc., in neutral and slightly acidic or alkaline media. The investigations also include correlations between electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activity and stability with the composition and structure of the nanoparticles. Finally, research will be developed on operating systems, especially fuel cells with and without UV light, formed by the most active electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts, investigated in the previous stages. (AU)