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Queiroz BD, Vital PLS, Budke KO, Rey-Raap N, Arenillas A, Barra GMO, Ferreira DS, Camara GA, Wender H, Martins CA. A Comprehensive Investigation of Methanol Electrooxidation on Copper Anodes: Spectroelectrochemical Insights and Energy Conversion in Microfluidic Fuel Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:35255-35267. [PMID: 38916943 PMCID: PMC11247425 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c08472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Here, we comprehensively investigated methanol electrooxidation on Cu-based catalysts, allowing us to build the first microfluidic fuel cell (μFC) equipped with a Cu anode and a metal-free cathode that converts energy from methanol. We applied a simple, fast, small-scale, and surfactant-free strategy for synthesizing Cu-based nanoparticles at room temperature in steady state (ST), under mechanical stirring (MS), or under ultrasonication (US). The morphology evaluation of the Cu-based samples reveals that they have the same nanoparticle (NP) needle-like form. The elemental mapping composition spectra revealed that pure Cu or Cu oxides were obtained for all synthesized materials. In addition to having more Cu2O on the surface, sample US had more Cu(OH)2 than the others, according to X-ray diffractograms and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sample US is less carbon-contaminated because of the local heating of the sonic bath, which also enhances the cleanliness of the Cu surface. The activity of the Cu NPs was investigated for methanol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium through electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements. The potentiodynamic and potentiostatic experiments showed higher current densities for the NPs synthesized in the US. In situ FTIR experiments revealed that the three synthesized NP materials eletcrooxidize methanol completely to carbonate through formate. Most importantly, all pathways were led without detectable CO, a poisoning molecule not found at high overpotentials. The reaction path using the US electrode experienced an additional round of formate formation and conversion into carbonate (or CO2 in the thin layer) after 1.0 V (vs. Ag/Ag/Cl), suggesting improved catalysis. The high activity of NPs synthesized in the US is attributed to effective dissociative adsorption of the fuel due to the site's availability and the presence of hydroxyl groups that may fasten the oxidation of adsorbates from the surface. After understanding the surface reaction, we built a mixed-media μFC fed by methanol in alkaline medium and sodium persulfate in acidic medium. The μFC was equipped with Cu NPs synthesized in ultrasonic-bath-modified carbon paper as the anode and metal-free carbon paper as the cathode. Since the onset potential for methanol electrooxidation was 0.45 V and the reduction reaction revealed 0.90 V, the theoretical OCV is 0.45 V, which provides a spontaneous coupled redox reaction to produce power. The μFC displayed 0.56 mA cm-2 of maximum current density and 26 μW cm-2 of peak power density at 100 μL min-1. This membraneless system optimizes each half-cell individually, making it possible to build fuel cells with noble metal-free anodes and metal-free cathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno D Queiroz
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Pedro-Lucas S Vital
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Kaê O Budke
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Natalia Rey-Raap
- Group MATENERCAT, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono, INCAR-CSIC, Francisco Pintado Fe 26, Oviedo 33011, Spain
| | - Ana Arenillas
- Group MATENERCAT, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono, INCAR-CSIC, Francisco Pintado Fe 26, Oviedo 33011, Spain
| | - Guilherme M O Barra
- Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Dênis S Ferreira
- Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe A Camara
- Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Heberton Wender
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cauê A Martins
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, Campo Grande, MatoGrosso do Sul 79070-900, Brazil
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2
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Yonamine NC, Zanata CR, de Souza MBC, Fernández PS, Wender H, Martins CA. Glycerol Electrolyzer with Graphite Anode and Cathode Produces Carbonyl Compounds and Hydrogen: Background Electrocatalysis of a "Nonparticipating" Current Collector. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:18918-18926. [PMID: 38588534 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
This study unveils a novel role of bare graphite as a catalyst in glycerol electrooxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions, challenging the prevailing notion that current collectors employed in electrolyzers are inert. Half-cell experiments elucidate the feasibility of glycerol oxidation and hydrogen production on bulk graphite electrodes at potentials exceeding 1.7 V. The investigation of varying glycerol concentrations (0.05 to 1.5 mol L-1) highlights a concentration-dependent competition between glycerol electrooxidation and oxygen evolution reactions. Employing an H-type glycerol electrolyzer, polarization curves reveal significant activation polarization attributed to the low electroactivity of the anode. Glycerol electrolysis at different concentrations yields diverse product mixtures, including formate, glycolate, glycerate, and lactate at the anode, with concurrent hydrogen generation at the cathode. The anolyte composition changes with glycerol concentration, resulting in less-oxidized compounds at higher concentrations and more oxidized compounds at lower concentrations. The cell voltage also influences the product formation selectivity, with an increased voltage favoring more oxidized compounds. The glycerol concentration also affects hydrogen production, with lower concentrations yielding higher hydrogen amounts, peaking at 3.5 V for 0.05 mol L-1. This model quantitatively illustrates graphite's contribution to current and product generation in glycerol electrolyzers, emphasizing the significance of background current and products originating from current collectors if in contact with the reactants. These results have an impact on the efficiency of the electrolyzer and raise questions regarding possible extra non-noble "nonparticipating" current collectors that could affect overall performance. This research expands our understanding of electrocatalysis on graphite surfaces with potential applications in optimizing electrolyzer configurations for enhanced efficiency and product selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolly C Yonamine
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cinthia R Zanata
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Matheus B C de Souza
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), R. Michel Debrun, s/n, Prédio Amarelo, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Pablo S Fernández
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), R. Michel Debrun, s/n, Prédio Amarelo, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Heberton Wender
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Cauê A Martins
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
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3
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Estrada-Osorio DV, Escalona-Villalpando RA, Gurrola MP, Chaparro-Sánchez R, Rodríguez-Morales JA, Arriaga LG, Ledesma-García J. Abiotic, Hybrid, and Biological Electrocatalytic Materials Applied in Microfluidic Fuel Cells: A Comprehensive Review. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2024; 4:25-41. [PMID: 38404496 PMCID: PMC10885332 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.3c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the work reported in the past decade in the field of microfluidic fuel cells. To develop appropriate research, the most commonly used electrocatalytic materials were considered and a new classification was proposed based on their nature: abiotic, hybrid, or biological. This classification allowed the authors to discern the information collected. In this sense, the types of electrocatalysts used for the oxidation of the most common fuels in different environments, such as glucose, ethanol, methanol, glycerol, and lactate, were presented. There are several phenomena presented in this article. This information gives an overview of where research is heading in the field of materials for electrocatalysis, regardless of the fuel used in the microfluidic fuel cell: the synthesis of abiotic and biological materials to obtain hybrid materials that allow the use of the best properties of each material.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. V. Estrada-Osorio
- División
de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, México
| | - Ricardo A. Escalona-Villalpando
- División
de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, México
| | - M. P. Gurrola
- CONACYT-Tecnológico
Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal, Avenida Insurgentes 330, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77013, México
- Tecnológico
Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal, Avenida Insurgentes 330, Chetumal, Quintana Roo 77013, México
| | - Ricardo Chaparro-Sánchez
- Facultad
de Informática, Universidad Autónoma
de Querétaro, Santiago de
Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, México
| | - J. A. Rodríguez-Morales
- División
de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, México
| | - L. G. Arriaga
- Centro
de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica, Pedro Escobedo, Querétaro 76703, México
| | - J. Ledesma-García
- División
de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, México
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Lima ALD, Rocha PM, Silva AC, Alves Fernandes J, Martins CA. Interchangeable Biomass Fuels for Paper-Based Microfluidic Fuel Cells: Finding Their Power Density Limits. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:11895-11905. [PMID: 36848672 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c23192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Paper batteries are self-pumping emerging tools for powering portable analytical systems. These disposable energy converters must be low-cost and must achieve enough energy to power electronic devices. The challenge is reaching high energy while keeping the low cost. Here, for the first time, we report a paper-based microfluidic fuel cell (PμFC) equipped with Pt/C on a carbon paper (CP) anode and a metal-free CP cathode fed by biomass-derived fuels to deliver high power. The cells were engineered in a mixed-media configuration, where methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, or glycerol is electro-oxidized in an alkaline medium, while Na2S2O8 is reduced in an acidic medium. This strategy allows for optimizing each half-cell reaction independently. The colaminar channel of the cellulose paper was chemically investigated by mapping the composition, which reveals a majority of elements from the catholyte and anolyte on each respective side and a mixture of both at the interface, assuring the existing colaminar system. Moreover, the colaminar flow was studied by investigating the flow rate by considering recorded videos for the first time. All PμFCs show 150-200 s to build a stable colaminar flow, which matches the time to reach a stable open circuit voltage. The flow rate is similar for different concentrations of methanol and ethanol, but it decreases with the increase in ethylene glycol and glycerol concentrations, suggesting a longer residence time for the reactants. The cells perform differently for the different concentrations, and their limiting power densities are composed of a balance among anode poisoning, residence time, and viscosity of the liquids. The sustainable PμFCs can be interchangeably fed by the four biomass-derived fuels to deliver ∼2.2-3.9 mW cm-2. This allows choosing the proper fuel due to their availability. The unprecedented PμFC fed by ethylene glycol delivered 6.76 mW cm-2, which is the benchmark output power for a paper battery fed by alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L D Lima
- Electrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Piter M Rocha
- Electrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Adilson C Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | - Cauê A Martins
- Electrochemistry Research Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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5
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de Souza MBC, Guima KE, Fernández PS, Martins CA. Glycerol Is Converted into Energy and Carbonyl Compounds in a 3D-Printed Microfluidic Fuel Cell: In Situ and In Operando Bi-Modified Pt Anodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:25457-25465. [PMID: 35617969 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c04313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The combination of energy and chemical conversion can be achieved by designing glycerol fuel cells. However, the anode must promote the reaction at onset potentials low enough to allow a spontaneous reaction, when coupled to the cathodic reaction, and must be selective. Here, we build a three-dimensional (3D)-printed glycerol microfluidic fuel cell that produces power concomitantly to glycolate and formate at zero bias. The balance between energy and the two carbonyl compounds is tuned by decorating the Pt/C/CP anode in situ (before feeding the cell reactants) or in operando (while feeding the cell with reactants) with Bi. The Bi-modified anodes improve glycerol conversion and output power while decreasing the formation of the carbonyl compounds. The in operando method builds dendrites of rodlike Bi oxides that are inactive for the anodic reaction and cover active sites. The in situ strategy promotes homogeneous Bi decoration, decreasing activation losses, increasing the open-circuit voltage to 1.0 V, and augmenting maximum power density 6.5 times and the glycerol conversion to 72% at 25 °C while producing 0.2 mmoL L-1 of glycolate and formate (each) at 100 μL min-1. Such a performance is attributed to the low CO poisoning of the anode, which leads the glycerol electrooxidation toward a more complete reaction, harvesting more electrons at the device. Printing the microfluidic fuel cell takes 23 min and costs ∼US$1.85 and can be used for other coupled reactions since the methods of modification presented here are applied to any existing and assembled systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus B C de Souza
- Chemistry Institute, State University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia-Emiko Guima
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pablo S Fernández
- Chemistry Institute, State University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cauê A Martins
- Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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6
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Ibrahim OA, Navarro-Segarra M, Sadeghi P, Sabaté N, Esquivel JP, Kjeang E. Microfluidics for Electrochemical Energy Conversion. Chem Rev 2022; 122:7236-7266. [PMID: 34995463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemical energy conversion is an important supplement for storage and on-demand use of renewable energy. In this regard, microfluidics offers prospects to raise the efficiency and rate of electrochemical energy conversion through enhanced mass transport, flexible cell design, and ability to eliminate the physical ion-exchange membrane, an essential yet costly element in conventional electrochemical cells. Since the 2002 invention of the microfluidic fuel cell, the research field of microfluidics for electrochemical energy conversion has expanded into a great variety of cell designs, fabrication techniques, and device functions with a wide range of utility and applications. The present review aims to comprehensively synthesize the best practices in this field over the past 20 years. The underlying fundamentals and research methods are first summarized, followed by a complete assessment of all research contributions wherein microfluidics was proactively utilized to facilitate energy conversion in conjunction with electrochemical cells, such as fuel cells, flow batteries, electrolysis cells, hybrid cells, and photoelectrochemical cells. Moreover, emerging technologies and analytical tools enabled by microfluidics are also discussed. Lastly, opportunities for future research directions and technology advances are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar A Ibrahim
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada.,Fuelium S.L., Edifici Eureka, Av. Can Domènech S/N, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain
| | - Marina Navarro-Segarra
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain
| | - Pardis Sadeghi
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada
| | - Neus Sabaté
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Esquivel
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), C/dels Til·lers sn, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra Barcelona Spain.,BCMaterials, Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, 48940 Leioa, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Erik Kjeang
- Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, V3T 0A3 Surrey, British Columbia Canada
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PtBi on carbon cloth as efficient flexible electrode for electro-oxidation of liquid fuels. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Guima KE, Coelho PHL, Trindade MAG, Martins CA. 3D-Printed glycerol microfluidic fuel cell. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2057-2061. [PMID: 32495780 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00351d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A 3D-printed microfluidic fuel cell is presented. Fused deposition modeling is used to build a microchannel with a 0.015 cm2 cross-sectional area for stable colaminar flow conditions. A new 3D-Printed cell fed by glycerol displays a power density of 175 mW cm-2 at 0.9 V and 1.8 V of open-circuit voltage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia-Emiko Guima
- Physics Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul - Av. Costa e Silva, 79070900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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9
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Caneppele GL, Reis DD, Goncalves AB, Da Silva GC, Martins CA. Active Porous Electrodes Prepared by Ultrasonic‐bath and their Application in Glucose/O
2
Electrochemical Reactions. ELECTROANAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.201900625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella L. Caneppele
- Institute of Physics Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549 79070-900 Campo Grande, MS Brazil
| | - Diogo D. Reis
- Institute of Physics Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549 79070-900 Campo Grande, MS Brazil
| | - Alem‐Mar B. Goncalves
- Institute of Physics Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549 79070-900 Campo Grande, MS Brazil
| | - Gabriel C. Da Silva
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos Universidade de São Paulo, IQSC-USP C.P. 780 São Carlos, SP Brazil
| | - Cauê A. Martins
- Institute of Physics Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, CP 549 79070-900 Campo Grande, MS Brazil
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10
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Abstract
The low price, highly active triol structure, high volumetric energy density, simple storage and environment-friendly properties make glycerol a promising fuel for an alkaline direct alcohol fuel cell (ADAFC). Unlike other ADAFCs, alkaline direct glycerol fuel cells (ADGFCs) can be used either to generate only energy (the common use of fuel cells) or to produce both energy and valuable chemicals. This work presents an overview of catalysts for glycerol oxidation in alkaline media, and their use in ADGFCs. A particular attention was paid to binary and ternary catalysts able both to increase the selectivity to valuable C3 glycerol oxidation products, reducing the C–C bond cleavage, and simultaneously to enhance glycerol conversion.
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11
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Zanata CR, Martins CA, Teixeira-Neto É, Giz MJ, Camara GA. Two-step synthesis of Ir-decorated Pd nanocubes and their impact on the glycerol electrooxidation. J Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2019.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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