Electrocatalysis IV: fundamental and applied aspects of electrocatalytic processes, bio-electrocatalysis and kinetic instabilities

Abstract

The goal of the present project consists of the study of electrocatalytic processes taking place in energy conversion and storage systems, particularly the ones involving reactions in fuel cells, including bio-active electrodes. Attention will be paid to the study of the oxygen reduction reaction and of the oxidation of alcohol molecules and hydrogen deliberately contaminated with traces of carbon monoxide. The investigation will also include the study of kinetic instabilities usually observed, for instance, during the electro-oxidation of small organic molecules such as formic acid, methanol, and ethylene glycol. It will be studied some fundamental aspects of the electrocatalysis as well as the kinetic instabilities of such reactions on massive pure metals (both single crystals and polycrystalline) and metallic alloys, and carbon dispersed electrocatalysts. In this case it will be employed nanoparticles of pure noble metals, alloys, core-shell structures formed by a transition metal covered by monolayers of noble metals, and metallic oxides. Finally, the development of biomaterials for low temperature bio fuel cells will be also considered, with emphasis on the immobilization of enzymes such as cloroperoxidase, peroxidase, lacase, tirosinase e glicose oxidase. Further development might also include operational systems of gas diffusion electrodes, on which the study of electrocatalyzed reactions of fundamental and practical interest will be carried out. The project will be developed by a team of permanent members of 5 professors, 2 associated researchers, and 2 technicians, and also nonpermanent ones including post-docs, graduated and undergraduate students, all belonging to the Institue of Chemistry of São Carlos, USP.The goal of the present project consists of the study of electrocatalytic processes taking place in energy conversion and storage systems, particularly the ones involving reactions in fuel cells, including bio-active electrodes. Attention will be paid to the study of the oxygen reduction reaction and of the oxidation of alcohol molecules and hydrogen deliberately contaminated with traces of carbon monoxide. The investigation will also include the study of kinetic instabilities usually observed, for instance, during the electro-oxidation of small organic molecules such as formic acid, methanol, and ethylene glycol. It will be studied some fundamental aspects of the electrocatalysis as well as the kinetic instabilities of such reactions on massive pure metals (both single crystals and polycrystalline) and metallic alloys, and carbon dispersed electrocatalysts. In this case it will be employed nanoparticles of pure noble metals, alloys, core-shell structures formed by a transition metal covered by monolayers of noble metals, and metallic oxides. Finally, the development of biomaterials for low temperature bio fuel cells will be also considered, with emphasis on the immobilization of enzymes such as cloroperoxidase, peroxidase, lacase, tirosinase e glicose oxidase. Further development might also include operational systems of gas diffusion electrodes, on which the study of electrocatalyzed reactions of fundamental and practical interest will be carried out. The project will be developed by a team of permanent members of 5 professors, 2 associated researchers, and 2 technicians, and also nonpermanent ones including post-docs, graduated and undergraduate students, all belonging to the Institue of Chemistry of São Carlos, USP. (AU)