Study of electrocatalytic processes related to electrochemical systems for chemical and electrical energy interconvertion

Abstract

This research proposal aims the study the electrocatalytic processes related to electrochemical systems for the chemical and electrical energy interconversion, in galvanic and electrolytic devices. The main focus is associated to the study of reactions involved in electrocatalysis for fuel cells feed with organic and inorganic molecules, regenerative electrochemical systems, hydrogen generation and oxidation and oxygen production and reduction. Some fundamental aspects of the electrocatalysis and kinetic instabilities of these reactions will be investigated on single crystals surfaces and nanostructured metal electrocatalysts. The investigations will include correlation between the electrocatalytic activities and stabilities with the composition and structure of the nanoparticles. However, although being already available for a limited number of applications, several operational issues must yet to be overcome. New materials must be designed to attend the requirements of high durability and lower costs. Thus, our objective in this project is to build a collaboration between the two partners to design electrodes based on new hybrid metallic or non-metallic nanoparticles with controlled morphology and structure with the aim to develop a new generation of advanced catalysts for application in electrochemical systems. (AU)