University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Metallic and bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical reduction of problematic aqueous anions

Mahle, Thomas

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/31221

Description

Title
Metallic and bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical reduction of problematic aqueous anions
Author(s)
Mahle, Thomas
Issue Date
2012-05-22T00:36:25Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Gewirth, Andrew A.
Department of Study
Chemistry
Discipline
Chemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Metallic
  • Bimetallic
  • Catalysts
  • Catalyst
  • Catalysis
  • Electrochemical Reduction
  • Aqueous Anions
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrite
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Nitric oxide
  • Nitrogen
  • Dinitrogen
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Electrocatalyst
  • Electrocatalysts
  • carbon supported
  • substrate
  • carbon black
  • Activated Carbon
  • wire
  • cathode
  • cathodic
  • catalytic reduction
  • reduction catalysis
  • water
  • purification
  • water purification
  • blue baby
Abstract
Metallic and bimetallic systems are investigated voltammetrically as possible catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of nitrate. Iindium and palladium are the most thoroughly examined metals in this work, but nickel, tin, platinum, thallium, lead, and gallium are also incorporated into the systems investigated. Indium metal is found to perform an 8-electron reduction of nitrate at pH 1 with an onset of -300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. In-modified Pd wire is also found to exhibit reduction at -300 mV and carbon-supported Pd/In, and the Pd/In/Au electrode were both found to catalyze nitrate reduction at an onset of approximately -200 mV vs. Ag/AgCl in a perchloric acid solution of pH 1. The high onset potentials in these systems are greater than 0 V RHE and therefore represent the fact that these systems could function as catalysts for hydrogenation of nitrate. Of the systems studied they also have the highest activity toward nitrate and did not show signs of degradation, and therefore show the greatest promise in terms of being developed into viable electrocatalysts for nitrate reduction.
Graduation Semester
2012-05
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31221
Copyright and License Information
© 2012 Thomas Kirk Mahle

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