Metallopolymer and metal oxide based composites for electrochemical systems

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Electrochemical reactions have wide ranging applications including sensors, batteries, fuel cells, and chemical synthesis. However, many desired reactions are slow and inefficient, and therefore impractical. This research program aims to develop new chemistry and composite electrode materials that will lead to better electrodes for a wide range of applications. The focus of the work will be on two reactions that have the potential to greatly decrease the world's dependence on fossil fuel and production of green house gas emissions: ethanol oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction. Both of these electrochemical reactions would be of immense commercial and societal value if they could be carried out efficiently. Ethanol oxidation would be used in direct ethanol fuel cells to operate vehicles and produce residential and consumer electricity from a renewable fuel source (no net carbon dioxide emission), while carbon dioxide reduction would produce fuel from a green house gas.