Finally, the study revealed some remarkable new insights into methanol oxidation in [dema] [TfO]. In particular, trace water within the protic ionic liquid plays a significant role and oxidation of trace water at Pt provides the Pt oxide species necessary for the "bifunctional" surface reaction between adsorbed carbon monoxide and oxides, in a similar manner to that observed in conventional aqueous electrolytes. The overpotential for methanol oxidation in [dema][TfO] was drastically higher than that observed in aqueous electrolytes, it also decreased with increasing water content of the ionic liquid. Overall, the study revealed some of the key processes responsible for the high activity of Pt-based fuel cell electrocatalysts in protic ionic liquid electrolytes. The work discussed in this Thesis may provide a starting point for the development of novel electrocatalysts for protic ionic liquids fuel cells
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:606336 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Aynalem, Andinet Ejigu |
| Publisher | University of Nottingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0018 seconds