Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0398
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0398
+44 1478 350008
Hamilton Varela
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Phys Chem Biophys
The electro-oxidation of small organic molecules (formic acid, methanol, ethanol, glycerol, etc.) is often accompanied by kinetic instabilities in the form of oscillations and multi-stability. The importance of studying such reactions is primarily due to their relevance in energy conversion systems and a considerable development in this field has been reached recently. It has been recently shown by our Group at University of Sao Paulo that studying some reactions under oscillatory regime might provide key mechanistic information. It is presented in this talk the latest works developed regarding the oscillatory electro-oxidation of small organic molecules on platinum, platinum-based, and gold surfaces. The results are focused on the dynamics, mechanism and efficiency, including half-cells (poly- and single crystals and modified surfaces), and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) reactors, and are discussed in connection with the current literature. An important aspect to be presented in depth is the effect of surface defects on the oscillatory electro-oxidation of methanol. Experiments were carried out on Pt(100) surfaces with different degrees of random surface defects and results discussed in terms of short and long term evolutions of oscillations and surface structure. Finally, some perspectives and directions for future research are also presented.
Email: hamiltonvarela@usp.br