Dans le contexte de la valorisation de la biomasse par catalyse hétérogène, la chimie théorique est essentielle pour guider la détermination de la nature des sites actifs en combinaison avec des caractérisations expérimentales. Ensuite, le mécanisme de réaction peut être étudié pour déterminer l’état de transition et intermédiaire déterminant la vitesse et ensuite concevoir de meilleurs catalyseurs in silico. Nous avons mis en œuvre cette approche dans plusieurs réactions impliquant des alcools qui jouent un rôle clé dans le passage du pétrole à la biomasse comme source de matière première pour les produits chimiques de commodités ou spécialités. Tout d'abord, nous nous sommes concentrés sur l'oxydation des alcools en phase liquide par l'oxygène, une réaction qui nécessite généralement un environnement alcalin, ce qui nuit à l'économie d’atomes du processus car il génère le sel carboxylate au lieu de l'acide carboxylique. Nous avons proposé un modèle d'interface métal / eau basique incluant l'adsorption d'anion hydroxyde. Cet anion charge la surface métallique et modifie son activité catalytique. Ce modèle a tout d’abord été validé en comparant l’activité prédite de Au et de Pt en présence et en l’absence de base, puis a été utilisé pour étudier l’oxydation d’éthoxylates d’alcool par des bimétalliques. Ensuite, nous sommes passés à la déshydratation en phase gazeuse d’alcools en C3 et C4 en utilisant des catalyseurs à base de phosphate. La modélisation des surfaces s’est basée sur des caractérisations expérimentales. La couverture moléculaire de l'eau à la surface en fonction de la pression et de la température a été établie à l'aide de la thermodynamique ab initio. Les simulations de spectres infrarouges d'adsorption de CO, NH3 et C2H2 nous ont permis d'identifier les sites acido-basiques qui jouent un rôle important dans l'investigation du mécanisme de réaction qui a suivi. / In the context of biomass valorization by heterogeneous catalysis, computational chemistry is key to provide guidance to establish the nature of the active sites in combination with experimental characterizations. Then, the reaction mechanism can be studied to determine the rate determining transition state and intermediate and further design in silico better catalysts. We implemented this approach in several reactions involving alcohols that are key in the shift from a petroleum chemical feedstock to a biomass-based feedstock. Firstly, we focused on liquid phase alcohol oxidation by oxygen, a reaction that generally requires an alkaline environment, which is detrimental to the atom economy of the process since it generates the carboxylate salt instead of the carboxylic acid. We proposed a model of metal/basic water interface that includes the adsorption of hydroxide anion. It charges the metallic surface and modifies its catalytic activity. This model was first validated comparing the predicted activity of Au and Pt in presence and in absence of a base, and then used oxidation of alcohol ethoxylates by bimetals. Then, we switched to gas phase dehydration of C3 and C4 alcohols using phosphate-based catalysts. The modeling of the surfaces was based on experimental characterizations. The molecular coverage of water on the surface in function of the pressure and temperature was established using ab initio thermodynamic. The simulations of infrared spectra of CO, NH3 and C2H2 adsorption allowed us to identify the acido-basic sites which play an important role in the reaction mechanism investigation that followed.

Uma das principais fronteiras de desenvolvimento em catálise heterogênea envolve o uso de suportes de carbono grafitizados como vetores para modificação da estrutura eletrônica de catalisadores em reações catalíticas. Neste contexto os nanotubos de carbono (CNTs) são promissores, permitem boa dispersão e estabilização de nanopartículas (NPs) devido morfologia, defeitos superficiais, curvatura e geometria oca que resultam em interações específicas com catalisadores. Os CNTs podem apresentar uma distribuição variada de diâmetros, com presença de defeitos (vacâncias, pentágonos), podem ser dopados, intercalados com espécies que afetam a densidade eletrônica das suas paredes que podem ser funcionalizadas com uma variedade de moléculas, apresentando novas propriedades que podem influenciar na atividade catalítica de NPs. Apesar do potencial os CNTs quando usados na forma de material particulado, estes podem apresentar problemas em aplicações catalíticas associadas à sua aglomeração afetando a dispersão das NPs e principalmente suas propriedades eletrônicas, além de problemas de filtragem, contaminação dos produtos reacionais e limitações de fluxo. Uma alternativa para explorar os CNTs em catálise heterogênea são os materiais micrométricos com superfície nanoestruturada, baseado em CNTs, que constitui um material compósito cujas propriedades dependem da natureza dos CNTs e do substrato. Nesses compósitos, várias das propriedades dos CNTs podem ser mantidas, porém com uma aglomeração fixa, moldada pela superfície do material micrométrico que podem ser facilmente removidos do meio reacional e também usados em colunas sem comprometimento do fluxo. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um suporte catalítico baseado em carvão ativado (AC) e CNTs resultantes da decomposição catalítica de etanol constituindo um compósito micro-nanoestruturado (CNT/AC). Sobre o compósito foram suportadas NPs metálicas de rutênio preparadas por microemulsão com diferentes teores de rutênio. O comportamento catalítico deste novo material catalítico foi investigado frente as reações de oxidação do álcool benzílico e hidrogenação do cinamaldeído. Os resultados dos ensaios catalíticos quando foi utilizado o catalisador baseado em CNTs com um teor de rutênio de 3,2% foram comparados com um catalisador comercial contendo um teor de 5% de rutênio, se mostraram positivos para a reação de oxidação do álcool benzílico apresentando elevada conversão e seletividade para um carregamento de rutênio inferior ao catalisador comercial, com conversão superior a 99% e seletividade para benzaldeído de 100%, enquanto o comercial apresentou conversão de 91% e seletividade também de 100%. Na reação de hidrogenação do cinamaldeído utilizando o catalisador desenvolvido com um teor de 2% de rutênio, observou-se uma conversão de 45% com seletividade distribuída entre hidrocinamaldeído (25%), álcool hidrocinâmico (18%) e álcool cinâmico (2%). Quando se utilizou o catalisador comercial com teor de 5% de rutênio a conversão do cinamaldeído foi de 43% e seletividade para hidrocinamaldeído (37%), álcool hidrocinâmico (3,4%) e álcool cinâmico (3,3%). O catalisador micro-nanoestruturado contendo um carregamento de 1,3% de rutênio foi caracterizado por espectroscopia Raman que indicou a presença das bandas de segunda ordem na faixa de 2500-3200 cm-1 devido a presença dos CNTs, que após a incorporação das NPs de rutênio apresentou um deslocamento da banda G localizada em 1580 cm-1 em cerca de 2 eV, indicando um processo de transferência de carga entre as NPs e os CNTs. Os resultados de absorção de N2 indicou natureza mesoporosa dos catalisadores baseados em CNTs e os teores de rutênio contidos nas amostras destes catalisadores foram medidos por espectroscopia de absorção atômica e apresentaram uma proporção em massa de 1,3; 2,3 e 3,2% de rutênio em relação ao compósito, dados estes confirmados por espectroscopia de energia dispersiva quando utilizada para mapear a composição química do catalisador. Em conclusão, o compósito micro-nanoestruturado desenvolvido neste estudo apresenta um grande potencial para aplicações catalíticas, pois em testes de reciclagem, o catalisador apresentou baixa lixiviação das NPs e baixo desprendimento de CNTs do substrato apresentando desta forma boa estabilidade, além de apresentar uma excelente atividade catalítica na conversão do álcool benzílico acima de 95% após 4 ciclos catalíticos sucessivos e principalmente a seletividade máxima ao benzaldeído. / One of the main frontiers in the development of heterogeneous catalysis involves the use of graphitized carbon supports as vectors for the modification of the electronic structure of the catalysts utilized in catalytic reactions. In this sense, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising materials because their morphology, surface defects, curvature, and hollow geometry allow for good dispersion and stabilization of nanoparticles (NPs), which culminates in specific interactions. CNTs can have a wide distribution of diameters, with the presence of defects (vacancies, pentagons) for this reason, they can be doped and then interspersed with species that affect the electron density of their walls, which can be functionalized with a variety of molecules. As a result, new properties that influence the catalytic activity of NPs arise. Despite their potential application, use of CNTs as particulate matter. This is because can propose problems to their application, due to their agglomeration. This is because the dispersion of NPs and their electronic properties can be affected, and problems contamination of the reaction, and flow limitations appear. An alternative for the use of CNTs in heterogeneous catalysis is the utilization of CNT-based materials with micrometric nanostructured surface. These are composite materials whose properties depend on the nature of the CNTs and the substrate. Various of the properties of CNTs can be maintained in composites, such as fixed clustering, shape of the surface of the micrometric material, which can be easily removed from the reaction medium and used in columns without compromising the flow. This work was based on a catalytic activated carbon (AC) support and CNTs, resulting from the catalytic decomposition of ethanol, which resulted in a micronanostructured composite (CNT/AC). Ruthenium metal NPs prepared by microemulsion and containing different amounts of ruthenium were supported onto the CNT/AC composite. The catalytic behavior of this new material was investigated for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The obtained results were compared with those achieved with a commercial catalyst. Positive results were obtained for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, with high substrate conversion and product selectivity having been achieved for a lower ruthenium load than the one present in the commercial catalyst (99% conversion and selectivity of 100 %. toward benzaldehyde. As for the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde, 45%, hydrocinnamaldehyde, hydrocinnamyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol, selectivities of 25, 18, and 2%, respectively. The micronanostructured catalyst was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, which indicated the presence of second-order bands in the range of 2500-3200 cm-1, due to the presence of CNTs. After incorporation of the ruthenium NPs, there was a shift in the G band located at 1580 cm-1 of about 2 eV, indicating a charge transfer process between the NPs and the CNTs. The results from N2 absorption indicated the mesoporous nature of the catalyst. The concentration of ruthenium catalysts present in the samples was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Ruthenium mass ratios of 1.3, 2.3, and 3.2% in relation to the composite, were detected. The composites were tested in various reuses experiments. There was low lixiviation of the NPs and low detachment of CNTs from the substrate. These data were confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy, which was used for mapping the chemical composition of the catalyst. In conclusion, the composite developed in this study has great potential for catalytic investigations, since the interaction between the carbon composite and the NPs was effective, and the catalytic activity was maintained for several cycles.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / This study explores the use of UV-assisted reduction method to synthesise the catalysts, aiming at reducing synthesis time. The Pd and Au catalyst loading is kept at 5 wt% in order to reduce the cost associated with high loading (20 wt%) of platinum group metals. The synthesised catalysts have SnO2 incorporated in them for two purposes, one being to activate the chemical reaction by absorbing UV-light and the second one is to serve as a promoter for binary and ternary catalysts. All the synthesised electrocatalysts in this study were denoted as Au/10wt%SnO2-C, Au/15wt%SnO2-C, Au/20wt%SnO2-C, Au/40wt%SnO2-C, Au/60wt%SnO2-C, Pd/10wt%SnO2-C, Pd/15wt%SnO2-C, Pd/20wt%SnO2-C, Pd/40wt%SnO2-C, Pd/60wt%SnO2-C and PdAu/10wt%SnO2-C respectively. The UV-assisted reduction method was proved to be effective with the obtained results from TEM, SEM, XRD and electrochemical studies. TEM micrographs revealed nanoparticles of Pd, Au and SnO2 which were proved by the measured d-spacing values corresponding to the element’s structures. The measured average particle size ranged from 3.05 to 14.97 nm for the electrocatalysts. The XRD profiles confirmed the face centred cubic of Pd, Au and tetragonal structures of SnO2. These electrocatalysts showed varied activity towards the oxidation of alcohols namely, methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol in alkaline electrolyte The cyclic voltammetry results showed improved performance towards the oxidation of glycerol on Au-based electrocatalysts, highest current density of 22.08 mA cm-2 than on Pd-based electrocatalysts. Pd-based electrocatalysts were more active towards the oxidation of ethanol than Au-based electrocatalysts with the highest current density of 19.96 mA cm-2. The co-reduced PdAu on 10wt%SnO2-C electrocatalysts showed the lowest current density of 6.88 mA cm-2 for ethanol oxidation when compared to Pd/10wt%SnO2-C and Au/10wt%SnO2-C. Linear sweep voltammograms showed more negative onset potentials on Pd-based electrocatalysts than Au-based electrocatalysts. The more negative onset potential obtained on Pd-based electrocatalysts was observed for ethanol oxidation. These results correspond to the trend observed in literature for ethanol oxidation being more favoured on Pd-based electrocatalysts whereas the polyalcohol oxidation is more favoured on Au-based electrocatalysts. The best performing and most stable electrocatalyst among the Au-based electrocatalysts is Au/10wt%SnO2-C and Pd/10wt%SnO2-C for the Pd-based electrocatalysts.

Abstract Zur Modellierung einer Oxidoberfläche wurden p-tert-Butylcalix[4]aren (H4CA[4]), Dimethyl-p-tert-butylcalix[4]aren (H2Me2CA[4]), p-tert-Butylcalix[8]aren (H8CA[8]) und p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]aren (H4TC) eingesetzt. Es gelang die Synthese von unterschiedlichen mono- und dinuklearen, geladenen und ungeladenen Oxovanadium(V)-verbindungen. Die Verbindungen [CA[4]V=O]- (4), [AcOCA[4]V=O] (5), [HCA[8](V=O)2]- (6), [Me2CA[4](µ-O)(V(O)OMe)2] (7), [CA[8](µ3-O)2V4O4] (8a/8c), [(H2TC)VOCl2]- (9) und [{(H2TC)V(O)(µ2-O)}2]2- (10) wurden als Katalysatoren für die Oxidation von Alkoholen in Gegenwart von Sauerstoff getestet. Die dinuklearen Komplexe 6 und 7 katalysieren die Oxidation von 1-Phenyl-1-propargylalkohol und Fluorenol effizient. Des Weiteren stellten die beiden Thiacalixarenkomplexe 9 und 10 in den meisten untersuchten Fällen bessere Katalysatoren dar als die Oxovanadiumkomplexe, die die „klassischen“ Calixarene als Liganden enthalten. Der dinukleare Komplex 10 zeigte eine höhere Aktivität als der mononukleare Thiacalixarenkomplex 9. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass 9 als Präkatalysator wirkt und in die aktive Spezies [TCV=O]- (11) umgewandelt wird. Auf Basis der Isolierung von [(TC)2V]- (12) und kinetischen Untersuchungen konnte ein möglicher Reaktionsmechanismus formuliert werden. Um die Reaktionsmechanismen für ausgewählte Systeme aufzuklären, wurde die Isolierung von Reaktionsintermediaten angestrebt. Aus der Umsetzung von Fluorenol mit 10 in Abwesenheit von Sauerstoff konnte das Intermediat [{(H2TC)V(O)}2(µ2-OH)(µ2-OC13H9)]2- (13), isoliert und vollständig charakterisiert werden. Unter Einbeziehung der Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur Reaktivität von 13 konnte ein plausibler Mechanismus für einen Katalysezyklus vorgeschlagen werden, nach welchem der Oxidationsprozess an den verbrückenden Oxoliganden stattfindet und die beiden Vanadiumzentren der Verbindung während der Reaktion kooperieren. Oxovanadium Komplexe, Calix aren Komplexe, Oxidationskatalysator, Alkoholoxidation, Reaktionsmechanismen / Abstract For Modelling an oxosurface p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (H4CA[4]), dimethyl p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (H2Me2CA[4]), p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (H8CA[8]) and p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (H4TC) have been used. Different mono- and dinuclear, charged and uncharged oxovanadium(V) compounds have been synthesized. The compounds [CA[4]V=O]- (4), [AcOCA[4]V=O] (5), [HCA[8](V=O)2]- (6), [Me2CA[4](µ-O)(V(O)OMe)2] (7), [CA[8](µ3-O)2V4O4] (8a/8c), [(H2TC)VOCl2]- (9) and [{(H2TC)V(O)(µ2-O)}2]2- (10) were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols in the presence of dioxygene. The dinuclear complexes 6 and 7 efficiently catalyse the oxidation of 1-Phenyl-1-propargylic alcohol and fluorenol. Furthermore, the two thiacalixarene complexes in most cases demonstrated to be better catalysts than the oxovanadium(V) complexes with classic calixarenes as ligands. With regard to the thiacalixarene complexes 9 and 10, the dinuclear complex 10 showed a higher activity compared to the mononuclear complex 9. Further investigations showed, that 9 is a precatalyst for the active species [TCV=O]- (11). On the basis of the isolation of [(TC)2V]- (12) and kinetic investigations a possible reaction mechanism for the oxidation of alcohols could be suggested. In order to clarify the reaction mechanisms for selected systems the isolation of reaction intermediates was pursued. The reaction of fluorenol and 10 in the absence of O2 led to the isolation of the reaction intermediate [{(H2TC)V(O)}2(µ2-OH)(µ2-OC13H9)]2- (13), which was completely characterised. Including the results of investigations concerning the reactivity of 13 a mechanism for a plausible catalysis cycle was proposed. Accordingly the oxidation reaction is centered at the bridging oxoligands, while the two vanadium atoms cooperate during the reaction.

Synopsis of the thesis entitled “Titanium Nitride-Based Electrode Materials for Oxidation of Small Molecules: Applications in Electrochemical Energy Systems” submitted by Muhammed Musthafa O. T under the supervision of Prof. S. Sampath at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry of the Indian Institute of Science for the Ph.D degree in the faculty of science. Fuel cells have been the focus of interest for many decades because of the ever increasing demands in energy. Towards this direction, there have been considerable efforts to find efficient electrocatalysts to oxidize small organic molecules (SOMs) such as methanol, ethanol, glycerol, hydrazine and borohydride that are of potential interest in direct fuel cells. Most studies revolve around platinum which is the best electrocatalyst known for the oxidation of many SOMs. However, platinum is extremely susceptible to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning which is an intermediate in the electrooxidation of aliphatic alcohols. The best known catalyst, platinum-ruthenium alloy (PtRu), suffers from leaching of Ru during cycling resulting in decrease in efficiency in addition to loss of precious metal. Another important aspect of fuel cell catalyst degradation is corrosion of widely-used carbon support, under fuel cell conditions. Corrosion of carbon support weakens the adherence of catalyst particles on the support and in turn results in loss of catalyst and also in its easy oxidation. Carbon corrosion is also reported to decrease the electronic continuity of the catalyst layer. Hence, replacement of carbon support with durable material is required. The present research explores the use of non-carbonaceous, transition metal nitride for anchoring catalytic particles. The favorable physicochemical properties of titanium nitride (TiN) such as extreme hardness, excellent corrosion resistance in aggressive electrolytes, resistance to nearly all chemicals, salt and humidity, very good support for the adherence of fuel cell catalysts and excellent electronic conductivity motivated us to use this material for anchoring fuel cell catalysts such as Pt, PtRu and Pd. In the present studies, TiN coated on stainless steel (SS 304) surface is used as an electrode material. Catalysts such as Pt, Pd and PtRu are anchored on to TiN and used for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol in acidic as well as in alkaline media. Use of bare TiN is explored for the oxidation of sodium borohydride. The efficiency of TiN supported catalysts are compared with carbon supported ones. Preliminary studies on the use of TiN supported catalysts in fuel cells have been conducted as well. Figure 1 shows the topographic atomic force microscopic (AFM) image in combination with scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) image of platinized TiN (Pt-TiN) surface. Since Pt particles are metallic, they are expected to show lower work function values than that of TiN domains which is indeed observed in figure 1B where the location of Pt particles is shown as dip in the work function. Very interestingly, the interface of Pt-TiN possesses very different work function values confirming the existence of metal-support interaction and this is expected to have positive implications in fuel cell catalysis. Figure 1. Contact mode AFM (A) and the corresponding scanning Kelvin probe image (B) of Pt-TiN surface. Figure 2. Cyclic voltammograms of Pt-TiN and Pt-C electrodes in 0.5 M H2SO4 containing 0.5 M methanol at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Loading of the catalyst used is 1 mg of Pt/cm2. The performance of Pt-TiN and PtRu-TiN are compared with the corresponding carbon supported catalysts (Pt-C, PtRu-C) for the electrooxidation of methanol. Figure 2 shows the voltammograms obtained on Pt-TiN and Pt-C in presence of acidified methanol. TiN supported catalyst performs better than carbon supported catalyst in terms of high currents at low over voltages (based on I-t measurements), long term stability and high exchange current densities (based on Tafel studies). The electrochemical characteristics of methanol oxidation on Pt-TiN and Pt-C catalysts are given in table 1. The current densities observed on TiN supported catalyst are almost three times higher than that of carbon supported catalyst confirming the promoting effect of TiN support towards methanol oxidation reaction. The performance of Pt-TiN electrocatalyst under fuel cell conditions reveals peak power densities close to 396 mW/cm2 at a current density of 375 mA/cm2, at 90C. Table 1. Characteristics of methanol oxidation on TiN and carbon supported catalysts in acidic medium. Material Onset Ep (mV) Ip EAA Ip Ip/Ib E=Ep-Eb potential (mA/mg (cm2/mg)b (mA/cm2 (mV) of Pt)a of Pt)c (mV) Pt-TiN 170 720 56 78.4 0.714 1.24 82 Pt-C 250 700 18 68.6 0.262 0.98 106 a Mass activity; Ip is the forward peak current and Ib is the reverse peak current; Ep and Eb are forward and reverse peak potentials. b Electrochemically active area (EAA) c Current density normalized for EAA Figure 3. In-situ FTIR spectra on bare TiN surface as a function of applied DC bias vs.SCE. The spectra are shown in regions of 1000 to 2000 cm-1 (A) and 2500 to 4000 cm-1 (B). Electrolyte used is 0.5 M methanol in 0.5 M H2SO4. Reference spectrum is obtained at 0 V. In-situ FTIR spectroelectrochemical measurements have been carried out to understand the intermediates and products formed during methanol oxidation. TiN surface is highly reflective and is quite amenable for reflectance IR studies. Figure 3 shows the potential dependant spectral characteristics of TiN in methanolic sulphuric acid. The bands observed at 1600 and 3600 cm-1 correspond to –OH bending and stretching vibrations of adsorbed water molecules. Interestingly, bands corresponding to adsorbed water are observed even at remarkably low over potentials of around 0.1 V vs. SCE where CO poisoning of Pt can be very severe. This experiment confirms the ability of inexpensive TiN to function like expensive Ru in fuel cell catalysis. Similar studies have been carried out for ethanol electrooxidation on TiN supported catalysts such as Pd, Pt and PtRu in acidic as well as alkaline conditions. Adherence of fuel cell catalyst on to TiN and carbon support is followed by cycling the electrode potential continuously as shown in figure 4. The adherence of Pd on TiN surface is very good and the stability tests reveal that Pd adheres and remains on TiN for a long time as compared to carbon support. Figure 4. Cyclic voltammograms of Pd-C (A) and Pd-TiN (B) in 1 M KOH at 100 mV/s. Pd loading used is 83 µg/cm2. In the chapter on borohydride oxidation, bare TiN electrode is used for the electrochemical oxidation of sodium borohydride. In direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFC), H2 evolution that occurs at low over voltages decreases the apparent number of electrons transferred and consequently the fuel cell efficiency. TiN has been shown to be a relatively H2 evolution-free electrocatalyst for borohydride oxidation (figure 5A). As shown in figure 5A, no H2 oxidation is observed (below -0.5 V) on TiN surface with increase in concentration of borohydride. This point to the fact that direct oxidation of borohydride is very favourable on TiN electrode and is confirmed by fuel cell measurements as shown in figure 5B. Non-platinum DBFCs using TiN as the anode (borohydride oxidation) and prussian blue supported carbon (PB-C) as the cathode (oxygen or hydrogen peroxide) electrocatalysts (figure 5B) reveal peak power density of 107 mW/cm2 for a current density 130 mA/cm2, at 80C. Figure 5. Cyclic voltammograms of TiN in 1 M NaOH containing varying concentrations of borohydride at a scan rate of 20 mV/s (A). Polarization studies of DBFC with TiN anode catalyst and PB-C (prussian blue supported on carbon) cathode catalyst (B). Anolyte is 0.79 M borohydride in 5 M NaOH and catholyte is 2.2 M acidified H2O2. The second aspect of the thesis is related to the use of TiN to prepare visible light active, nitrogen doped TiO2 (N-TiO2). This is carried out by electrochemical anodization of TiN in 0.5 M HNO3 at 1.4 V. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggests the formation of oxide phase on anodized TiN surface (figure 6A) and is confirmed by reflectance UV-Visible spectroscopy. The visible light activity is used for the sunlight induced reduction of graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide. As shown in the Raman spectra (figure 6B), a negative shift of the D and G band positions by about 20 cm-1 and the intensity ratio reversal after reduction confirms the formation of reduced graphene oxide on N-TiO2. Figure 6. (A) Ti (2p) region of XPS of fresh TiN and anodized TiN. Anodization has been carried out at 1.4 V vs. SCE in 0.5 M HNO3. (B) Raman spectra of exfoliated graphene oxide on anodized TiN before and after sunlight induced reduction. In summary, TiN has been shown to be an active support material for fuel cell catalysts in the present studies. The appendix details the basic electrochemical studies on TiN using various redox couples, electroploymerization of aniline and the formation of nanostructures on TiN surface. (For figures pl refer the abstract pdf file)