Grant: NSERC/Energy Sector, Natural Resources Canada
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
$127,360.00
Development of novel nanosized electrocatalysts for direct bioethanol fuel cells
FY 2006-07
Summary
The development of alternative power sources has become a crucial issue of research and development. One of the main goals in this quest is the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Fuel cells appear to be very promising as power supplies for automotive, portable or stationary applications. Methanol has been considered a strong contender in the realm of alternative fuels. However, methanol is a toxic compound to human and animal life. It is also a pollutant, so that its extensive use is inconceivable because of environmental hazards. A good substitute is ethanol, which has a very positive environmental, health, and safety footprint with no major uncertainties or hazards. Ethanol can be obtained in great quantity from biomass. Bio-generated ethanol is thus attractive since it will not change the natural balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The complete electro-oxidation of ethanol involves the release of 12 electrons per ethanol molecule and the cleavage of the C-C bond. The latter bond is believed to play a key role in the mechanism and has a determining effect on the fuel cell efficiency and the theoretical energy yield. Thus, a good electrocatalyst towards the complete oxidation of ethanol must activate the C-C bond breaking while avoiding the poisoning of the catalytic surface by CO species as it occurs with methanol oxidation. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop new catalyst nanoparticles of well-controlled shape, size, and composition with excellent stability and enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of ethanol. We propose to investigate the interaction of ethanol with several Pt-based compounds by characterizing the microstructure and physical properties, determining the identities of the reaction intermediates and poisons, and relating them to the electrochemical performance of the electrode. The new knowledge generated from this project and the training of highly qualified personnel will be critical in stimulating the development of Canadian novel next generation technology sectors.
Program
NSERC/Energy Sector, Natural Resources Canada
Location
Quebec, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
322373-2005
Name nom
Mohamedi, Mohamed
Department département
Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications (ÉMT) Varennes
Organization id
56
Institution établissement
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2006
Competition year année de concours
2005
Award amount
127360
Program id
GHGPJ
Program name en
NSERC/Energy Sector, Natural Resources Canada
Program name fr
CRSNG/Secteur de l'énergie, Ressources naturelles Canada
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1016
Committee name en
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation (GHGM)
Committee name fr
Émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES)
Area of application code
303
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Alternative energy resources
Area of application fr
Autres ressources d'énergie
Research subject code
2000
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials science and technology
Research subject fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Partie
2
Nb partie
3
Application title
Development of novel nanosized electrocatalysts for direct bioethanol fuel cells
Keyword
NA
Application summary
The development of alternative power sources has become a crucial issue of research and development. One of the main goals in this quest is the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Fuel cells appear to be very promising as power supplies for automotive, portable or stationary applications. Methanol has been considered a strong contender in the realm of alternative fuels. However, methanol is a toxic compound to human and animal life. It is also a pollutant, so that its extensive use is inconceivable because of environmental hazards. A good substitute is ethanol, which has a very positive environmental, health, and safety footprint with no major uncertainties or hazards. Ethanol can be obtained in great quantity from biomass. Bio-generated ethanol is thus attractive since it will not change the natural balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The complete electro-oxidation of ethanol involves the release of 12 electrons per ethanol molecule and the cleavage of the C-C bond. The latter bond is believed to play a key role in the mechanism and has a determining effect on the fuel cell efficiency and the theoretical energy yield. Thus, a good electrocatalyst towards the complete oxidation of ethanol must activate the C-C bond breaking while avoiding the poisoning of the catalytic surface by CO species as it occurs with methanol oxidation. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop new catalyst nanoparticles of well-controlled shape, size, and composition with excellent stability and enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of ethanol. We propose to investigate the interaction of ethanol with several Pt-based compounds by characterizing the microstructure and physical properties, determining the identities of the reaction intermediates and poisons, and relating them to the electrochemical performance of the electrode. The new knowledge generated from this project and the training of highly qualified personnel will be critical in stimulating the development of Canadian novel next generation technology sectors.
