Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Investigation Of Titanium Nitride As Catalyst Support Material And Development Of Durable Electrocatalysts For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Bharat Avasarala

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The impending energy and climatic crisis makes it imperative for human society to seek non-fossil based alternative sources for our energy needs. Although many alternative energy technologies are currently being developed, fuel cell technology provides energy solutions, which satisfy a wide range of applications. But the current fuel cell technology is far from its target of large scale commercialization mainly because of its high cost and poor durability. Considerable work has been done in reducing the cost but its durability still needs significant improvement. Of the various materials in a PEM fuel cell, the degradation of electrocatalyst affects its durability …

Comparative Study Of Ethanol And Methanol Electro-Oxidation On A Platinum/Ceria Composite Electrode In Alkaline And Acid Solutions : Electro-Catalytic Performance And Reaction Kinetics, Carlos Humberto Hidalgo Martinez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A comparative study of the electro-oxidation of ethanol and methanol was carried out on a Pt/ceria composite electrode prepared by electro-deposition. Modification of the Pt electrode was realized by co-deposition from a 1.0 mM K₂PtCl₆ solution that also contained a 20 mM suspension of ceria. The electro-catalytic activities and stabilities of the Pt/ceria catalyst towards ethanol electro-oxidation reactions (EOR) and methanol electro-oxidation reactions (MOR) were investigated by potentiodynamic and potentiostatic methods in 0.5 M sulfuric acid and 1.0 M sodium hydroxide solutions at various concentrations of ethanol and methanol. The kinetics of ethanol and methanol on a Pt/ceria composite electrode …

Catalytic Solar Water Splitting Inspired By Photosynthesis. Homogeneous Catalysts With A Mechanical ("Machine-Like") Action, Gerhard F. Swiegers, G Charles Dismukes, Leone Spiccia, Robin Brimblecombe, Annette Koo, Jun Chen, Gordon G. Wallace

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Chemical reactions may be controlled by either: the minimum threshold energy that must be overcome during collisions between reactant molecules / atoms (the Activation Energy, Ea), or: the rate at which reactant collisions occur (the Collision Frequency, A) (for reactions with low Ea). Reactions of type (2) are governed by the physical, mechanical interaction of the reactants. Such mechanical processes are unusual, but not unknown in molecular catalysts. We examine the catalytic action and macroscopic properties of several abiological mechanical catalysts and show that they display distinct similarities to enzymes in general. An abiological model of the Photosystem II Water …

Performance Evaluation Of Platinum-Based Catalysts For The Development Of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Abdul Sattar Ali Khan, Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Latif Mirza

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Platinum-based catalysts are considered the most efficient catalysts for triggering electrochemical reactions in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In the present study, commercial catalysts containing 10% and 30% Pt supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon were studied to assess their performance in PEM fuel cells. Both catalysts consisted of Pt particles of almost the same size. The utility of these catalysts in PEM fuel cells was studied by finding the real surface area and rate of electro-oxidation of methanol in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 by using cyclic voltammetry. The methanol oxidation reaction was used for characterization of catalysts of PEM fuel …

Molecular Water Oxidation Catalysts For Photoelectrochemical Cells, Robin Brimblecombe, Charles Dismukes, Gerhard F. Swiegers, Leone Spiccia

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Photoelectrochemical cells that efficiently split water into oxygen and hydrogen, "the fuel of the future", need to combine robust water oxidation catalysts at the anode (2H(2)O -> O-2 + 4H(+) + 4e(-)) with hydrogen reduction catalysts at the cathode (2H(+) + 2e(-) -> H-2). Both sets of catalysts will, ideally, operate at low overpotentials and employ light-driven or light-assisted processes. In this Perspective article, we focus on significant efforts to develop solid state materials and molecular coordination complexes as catalyst for water oxidation. We briefly review the field with emphasis on the various molecular catalysts that have been developed and …

Spectroscopic Investigation Of Palladium-Copper Bimetallic Systems For Pem Fuel Cell Catalysts, Timo Hofmann

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

One of the main barriers to commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells systems is cost, which is largely due to the need of platinum (Pt)-containing catalysts. In this thesis we investigate bimetallic systems consisting of a base metal (copper) and a noble metal (palladium) that, as an alloy on the nanoscale, mimic the electronic properties that make Pt desirable as a catalyst.

We present a detailed investigation of the electronic structure of carbon-supported Pd/Cu nanoparticle catalysts, model bilayer thin film systems, alloys, and various metal reference samples. We have investigated the valence band structure of the catalysts using a …

Fundamental Studies Of Hydrogen Storage And Catalysis, Balakrishnan Naduvalath

UNLV Renewable Energy Symposium

This inaugural event is dedicated to showcasing the renewable/sustainable energy projects of UNLV faculty, staff, students, and collaborators, as well as other external projects underway statewide and nationally. The development and utilization of new technologies to protect the environment, achieve energy independence, and strengthen the economy will be explored. Speakers and poster-session presenters will provide further insight to many ongoing projects and innovative research ideas.

Organized by UNLV’s Office of Strategic Energy Programs, the event offers participants the opportunity to learn about energy projects and will encourage networking and collaboration. This symposium is intended for researchers, educators, students, policy makers, …

Synthesis Of Piperazine Based Polyimide In The Presence Of Ionic Liquids, Bülent Alici, Süleyman Köytepe, Turgay Seçki̇n

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Ionic liquids derived from imidazolium, pyridinium, and alkylammonium salts were investigated not only as catalysts but also as solvents in polymerization of 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl) piperazine. Results were compared with the conventional polymerizations in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The catalyst has not only a detectable influence on polymer solubility, but also the degrees of polymerization are notably higher. They are even greater than the values obtained by conventional 2-stage polymerization in organic liquids. Ionic liquids based on imidazolium salts seem preferable over pyridinium and alkylammonium salts due to the higher degree of polydispersity of the polyimides obtained. The glass transition temperatures and thermal stabilities …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Dendrimer Templated Supported Bimetallic Pt-Au Nanoparticles, Huifang Lang, S. Maldonado, K. J. Stevenson, Bert D. Chandler

Chemistry Faculty Research

Bimetallic dendrimer-stabilized nanoparticles (DSNs) were used to prepare supported Pt-Au catalysts within the bulk miscibility gap for this binary system. Hydroxy-terminated generation 5 PAMAM dendrimers were used to prepare Cu0 nanoparticles (NPs). The Cu⁰ NPs were subsequently used to reduce K₂PtCl₄ and HAuCl₄, preparing stabilized bimetallic Pt-Au NPs with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The stabilized NPs were adsorbed onto a high surface area silica support and thermally activated to remove the dendrimers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO showed that this preparation route resulted in NPs in …

Probing The Capabilities Of Copper Complexes With Nitrogen And Sulfur Containing Macrocyclic Ligands As Aziridination Catalysts, Jonathan Natkin

Honors Theses

Aziridines are three-membered rings containing one nitrogen atom. They are useful as synthetic intermediates in many organic reactions. Much work has been devoted to synthesizing their analogs, cyclopropanes and epoxides, but little work has been done on the aziridination reaction. This study endeavored to probe the efficiencies of novel copper aziridination catalysts with N3 and S3 macrocyclic ligands compared to an NS2 analog for the reaction with the nitrene precursor (N-(paratosylsulfonyl) imino)phenyliodinane, PhINTs, and the olefin styrene. The nitrogen containing catalyst complex gave higher yields than the sulfur containing catalyst complex. Both ligands were found to decrease the yield of …

A Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopic Study Of Platinum/Tin (Iv) Oxide Low-Temperature Carbon Monoxide Oxidation Catalysts, Donna Sue Duarte

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Platinum-coated tin(IV) oxide catalysts have been developed for the recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen at 55°C and 1 atmosphere of pressure in closed-cycle carbon dioxide lasers. A diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopic (DRIFTS) study of four of these catalysts during 5% carbon monoxide pretreatment at temperatures of 30°C, 100°c, 125°c, and 150°C has been performed. Evidence for the development of surface carbonate, bicarbonate, and formate species during pretreatment has been found. Dehydroxylation of the surface and loss of a partially charged hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl species have also been found to result from elevated temperature pretreatment. The four catalysts have …

A Pulse Gas Chromatographic Method For Determining The Dispersion And Surface Area Of Co Oxidation Catalysts, Susan Kay Ohorodnik

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Catalysts composed of platinum and/or palladium on tin(IV) oxide supports with or without silica gel have been developed for the recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen to form carbon dioxide for use in carbon dioxide lasers. A pulse gas chromatographic method has been developed to measure the chemisorption properties of the catalysts. From the chemisorption measurements, the active surface area and dispersion of the catalysts have been determined.

Part I. Catalytic Hydrocarbon Reforming By Technetium Catalysts.|Npart Ii.|Pacetone Azine And 3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Pyrazoline Adducts Of Palladium Chloride, James Lynn Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

Technetium catalyzes hydrocarbon reforming reactions of dehydrocyclization, isomerization, hydrogenolysis, and coke formation. A kinetic equation was derived and E_a and A_o evaluated for dehydrocyclization of n-heptane, isomerization of n-pentane, and dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane and cyclohexane. The results were related to the metal, the form of the catalyst, catalyst support, and the deactivation of the catalyst. The effect of sulfur compounds was determined. No residual radioactivity in the product was observed. The ligands, acetone azine (AA) and 3,5,5-trimethyl-2- pyrazoline (Py), reacted with (C_6H_5CN)_2PdCl_2 to form adducts, L_2PdCl_2 and (LPdCl_2)_n. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods and some molecular weights determined. …

An Investigation Of Metallic Rhenium, Rhenium Dioxide And Rhenium Chlorides As Catalysts In The Hydrogenation Of Certain Organic Substrates, Walter William Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the various analytical methods to ascertain the suitability of the methods for our use in determining the amount of rhenium used in our catalysts, and, if necessary devise a new method. Also, several catalysts were to be prepared and used in hydrogenation or organic compounds. Evaluation of the catalytic activity of each catalyst was to be made by using them with various selected organic substrates.