Date of Award
10-6-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Brian Berry
Abstract
Development of economically viable platinum alternatives for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is a fundamental step towards large-scale commercialization efforts, which aim to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy resources. This work explores the synthesis, characterization, and application of graphene supported cobalt(III) and iron(III) based MN4 complexes for oxygen reduction, and farther investigates the potential for gains in performance and enhanced stability following coating with a bioinspired self- assembling polymer, polydopamine. The nanocomposites were characterized using a variety of electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, and their electrochemical performance was assessed using a potentiostat/galvanostat. The polymer-uncoated nanocomposites were found to reduce oxygen via a four-electron process in both acidic and alkaline pH conditions, with calculated rate constants of up to 9.78 × 106 mol−1 s−1. Furthermore, the addition of a polydopamine coating was found to produce over 300 mV improvement in the oxygen reduction peak potential when compared to the uncoated materials.
Recommended Citation
Wayland, Hunter Austin, "Synthesis and Characterization of Transition Metal Based Nanocomposites for ORR in Fuel Cell Applications" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 843.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/843
