SusChem: IUPAC: The development of multi-functional catalysts to replace Pt for fuel oxidation reactions in low temperature fuel cells

该项目由美国印第安纳波利斯大学化学学部化学催化项目资助，研究了在低温燃料氧化反应中取代铂（Pt）的多功能催化剂的发展。在各种可供选择的能源生产系统中，燃料电池尤其具有吸引力，因为它们可以将化学能清洁有效地转化为电能。目前，用于燃料电池中氢、甲醇和乙醇等燃料氧化的最活跃的催化剂是Pt和Pt基材料，这些材料对于负担得起的清洁能源生产来说过于昂贵。这个研究项目的重点是基于廉价材料的催化剂，用于燃料电池中的燃料氧化反应。通过电化学测量、原位光谱表征、密度泛函理论模拟和燃料电池测试，合作团队研究了不同催化剂在酸性和碱性介质下氢、甲醇和乙醇氧化反应（分别为HORs、MORs和EORs）的反应机理。基于低成本材料（如钯、镍和其他更富地球元素）的新型多功能催化剂的设计和表征具有与铂基催化剂相当的反应活性。这个项目是与巴西的Hebe de las Mercedes教授和中国的孙世刚教授合作完成的。这些团队将各自领域的专业知识结合在一起，研究更便宜、更可持续的燃料电池催化剂。这项工作的其他更广泛的影响包括培养博士后和研究生以及国际思想和专业知识的交流。

In this project funded by the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Rongrong Chen of Indianapolis University examines the development of multi-functional catalysts to replace platinum (Pt) in low temperature fuel oxidation reactions. Among the various alternative systems for energy production, fuel cells are particularly attractive because they allow clean and efficient conversion of chemical energy into electricity. Currently, the most active catalysts for the oxidation of fuels such as hydrogen, methanol and ethanol in fuel cells are Pt and Pt-based materials, which are too expensive for affordable clean energy production. This research project focuses on catalysts based on cheaper materials for fuel oxidation reactions in fuel cells. By combining electrochemical measurements, in-situ spectroscopic characterization, density functional theory simulations and fuel cell testing, the collaborative team studies reaction mechanisms of hydrogen, methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions (HORs, MORs and EORs, respectively) on various catalysts in both acid and alkaline media. New multi-functional catalysts based on low cost materials (such as palladium, nickel and other more earth abundant elements) with comparable reactivities to platinum-based catalysts are designed and characterized.This project is performed in collaboration with Professor Hebe de las Mercedes in Brazil and Professor Shi-Gang Sun in China. Together, these groups combine their separate areas of expertise to examine less expensive and more sustainable fuel cell catalysts. Other broader impacts of this work include the training of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students and an international exchange of ideas and expertise.