The Development of a stable cuprous oxide nanocatalyst for photoelectrochemical proton reduction
Research Mentor(s)
Rider, David A. (Materials scientist)
Description
Alternative energy is a rapidly growing field due to the abundance of greenhouse gasses produced by the use of fossil fuels. This project focuses on the creation of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices that catalyzes the reduction of pre-fuel compounds like hydronium and carbon dioxide (CO2). A light-absorbing catalytic electrode is fabricated using an clear and conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass as a base whose surface is first loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using a block copolymer template. In a second step, highly absorbing copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) is electrodeposited onto the ITO using the Au NPs as nucleation sites to control the size and form of the Cu2O. A thin titanium oxide (TiO2) coating was then applied to as an anti-corrosion layer that protects the Cu2O from the harsh conditions typical of the photoelectrochemical reduction of hydronium or CO2. The catalytic activity and specificity of the photoelectrochemical device was tested using advanced electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV).
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2017 12:00 PM
End Date
17-5-2017 3:00 PM
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Renewable energy sources; Fuel; Catalysts
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The Development of a stable cuprous oxide nanocatalyst for photoelectrochemical proton reduction
Alternative energy is a rapidly growing field due to the abundance of greenhouse gasses produced by the use of fossil fuels. This project focuses on the creation of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices that catalyzes the reduction of pre-fuel compounds like hydronium and carbon dioxide (CO2). A light-absorbing catalytic electrode is fabricated using an clear and conducting indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass as a base whose surface is first loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using a block copolymer template. In a second step, highly absorbing copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) is electrodeposited onto the ITO using the Au NPs as nucleation sites to control the size and form of the Cu2O. A thin titanium oxide (TiO2) coating was then applied to as an anti-corrosion layer that protects the Cu2O from the harsh conditions typical of the photoelectrochemical reduction of hydronium or CO2. The catalytic activity and specificity of the photoelectrochemical device was tested using advanced electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV).
Comments
Outstanding Poster Award Recipient