Synthesi of Pt-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysts for Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells
Research Mentor(s)
Rider, David A. (Materials scientist)
Description
The applicability of Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) for small electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops make them an attractive target for research. The established catalyst of DMFC to induce oxidation-reduction reactions (ORR) has historically been platinum (Pt); however, Pt it is costly and does not perform ORR at an optimal level. Previous work has shown that when Pt is combined with Copper (Cu) to form a Pt3Cu bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst, the NP shows a high rate of ORR compared to pure Pt. The Rider group plans to synthesize this Pt3Cu bimetallic NP catalyst using their established block copolymer templating method to assess the loading characteristics of the block copolymer and how those physical characteristics affect the electrocatalytic abilities of the NPs. These physical characteristics will be determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and carbon monoxide-stripping cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the electrochemical analysis will be done by steady-state cyclic CV and a rotating disk electrode set-up.
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)
Electrochemical analysis; Electric power production from chemical action; Direct methanol fuel cells--Research
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
Synthesi of Pt-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysts for Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells
The applicability of Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) for small electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops make them an attractive target for research. The established catalyst of DMFC to induce oxidation-reduction reactions (ORR) has historically been platinum (Pt); however, Pt it is costly and does not perform ORR at an optimal level. Previous work has shown that when Pt is combined with Copper (Cu) to form a Pt3Cu bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst, the NP shows a high rate of ORR compared to pure Pt. The Rider group plans to synthesize this Pt3Cu bimetallic NP catalyst using their established block copolymer templating method to assess the loading characteristics of the block copolymer and how those physical characteristics affect the electrocatalytic abilities of the NPs. These physical characteristics will be determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and carbon monoxide-stripping cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the electrochemical analysis will be done by steady-state cyclic CV and a rotating disk electrode set-up.