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

在这项由化学系化学催化计划资助的项目中，印第安纳波利斯大学的陈荣荣教授研究了在低温燃料氧化反应中替代铂(铂)的多功能催化剂的开发。在各种替代能源生产系统中，燃料电池特别有吸引力，因为它们可以将化学能清洁高效地转化为电能。目前，燃料电池中氢、甲醇和乙醇等燃料的氧化最活跃的催化剂是铂和铂基材料，这些材料过于昂贵，无法生产出负担得起的清洁能源。本研究项目主要针对燃料电池中基于廉价材料的燃料氧化反应催化剂。通过结合电化学测量、现场光谱表征、密度泛函理论模拟和燃料电池测试，合作小组研究了氢、甲醇和乙醇在酸和碱介质中在不同催化剂上的氧化反应(分别为HORS、MORS和EORS)的反应机理。本项目是与巴西的Hebe de las Mercedes教授和中国教授合作，设计并表征了基于低成本材料(如钯、镍和其他更丰富的稀土元素)的新型多功能催化剂，其反应活性与铂基催化剂相当。这些小组一起，结合他们各自的专业领域，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训博士后研究员和研究生以及国际交流思想和专门知识。

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.