Estudo de suportes alternativos de carbono ativado de biomassa para aplicação em células a combustível de álcool direto - DAFC’s

Abstract

This work deals with the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of electrocatalysts Pt and PtSn supported on activated carbon biomass with high surface area, obtained by carbonization and chemical activation of carbonaceous material at different temperatures and concentration of the activator chemical. The series under study are BSC (obtained from the shell of Brazil nut, Bertholletia excelsa) and BO (obtained from bur fiber Brazil nut). The electrocatalysts were synthesized by ethylene glycol via reduction method. The physical characterization was performed using the techniques of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy X-ray (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical behavior of the catalysts for the reactions of electro-oxidation of alcohols was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry by using the technique of ultrathin layer electrode. To compare the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts used to normalize currents through the mass of metal contained in each electrode. The activated carbon biomass showed good electrical capacity 52 to 550 g F-1 and high specific area 1030 to 3154 m2 g-1 which gave good dispersion of nanoparticles on the material support. The chronoamperometry measures in acid ethanol solution, show higher catalytic activity for Pt73Sn27/BSC800K5R; Pt72Sn28/BO600K3 and Pt57Sn43/BSC600K1F. Already in acidic methanol solution electrocatalysts Pt86Sn14/BSC800K5; Pt72Sn28/BO800K5 and Pt57Sn43/BSC600K1F showed the best catalytic responses.