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Electrochemical Lab

Project type

Electrochemical Engineering Research

This Independent Study was a project that focused on lab work to research the electrochemical oxidation of furfural using a platinum-antimony-tin oxide (PtATO) electrode catalyst. This project aimed to explore the potential of electrochemical processes in the conversion of furfural, a bio-based compound, into value-added chemicals. Data was collected using a potentiometer with Gamry or BioLogic as the software.

Vacuum Drying of Electrode Catalyst

The carbon flag anodes used for the experiments were deposited with a wet Platinum-Antimony-Tin Oxide (PtATO) ink I mixed using previously synthesized platinum-based nano-particles and a Nafion solvent. These flags were then dried in a vacuum oven and the deposition was repeated until the desired concentration of catalyst was added to the flags.

Room Temperature Experiment

The purpose of the experiments was to observe the product selectivity of electrochemical oxidation of of furfural using PtATO as an anode catalyst. By changing the concentration of PtATO on the carbon flags and the furfural in HClO4 electrolyte the performance of the system can be evaluated. A three-electrode h-cell was used as the electrochemical system for the experiments.

Heated Experiment

Heat effects on the performance of the electrochemical system was also assessed.

Electrolysis with Platinum Electrode

Hydrogen gas is produced at the solid platinum cathode interface during the experiment I developed to test the durability of the PtATO carbon flag anode. You can also see here, the standard silver reference electrode (Ag/Cl) used in all of the experiments.

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Electrochemical Lab

Project type

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