Probing Chemical Bond Activation in Water and Small Organic Molecules During Electrochemical Conversion to Carbon Dioxide

德克萨斯理工大学的Carol Korzeniewski教授得到了分析和表面化学项目的资助，研究甲醇和电极上相关小分子的氧化途径，这是燃料电池的基本步骤。含有铂和铂族金属的大块和石墨支持的纳米颗粒将作为衬底。这些反应将通过振动光谱、扫描力显微镜和蒙特卡罗模拟进行研究。目标是确定限制电流的步骤，了解这些步骤有助于改善发电。在块状和纳米颗粒材料上观察到不同的分子行为。这项研究可能会导致对这一悖论的分子理解。燃料电池是一项令人兴奋的新兴技术，它基于一种电化学装置，将氢燃料和空气中的氧结合起来，产生电、热和水。燃料电池不燃烧，所以几乎没有污染。需要进行研究以克服一些问题并进一步发展这项技术。

Professor Carol Korzeniewski of Texas Tech University is funded by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program to study oxidation pathways of methanol and related small molecules on electrodes, which constitute fundamental steps in fuel cells. Bulk and graphite-supported nanoparticles that contain platinum and platinum-group metals will serve as substrates. The reactions will be studied by vibrational spectroscopy, scanning force microscopy and Monte Carlo simulations. The objective is to identify steps that limit current flow, an understanding of which can help to improve electric power generation. Different molecular behaviors are observed on bulk and nanoparticle materials. This research could lead to a molecular understanding of this paradox.Fuel cells are an exciting growing technology based on an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat and water. Fuel cells operate without combustion, so they are virtually pollution free. Research is needed to overcome some of the problems and to further develop this technology.