The project deals with electrochemical oxygen reduction on platinum sub-monolayer “core-shell” electrocatalysts. Platinum sub-monolayer electrocatalsyts are being synthesized by copper underpotential deposition on various noble metal nanoparticles (Pd, Au, Ir etc.) supported on carbon and afterward displacing the copper atoms by platinum atoms. The project would also study the feasibility of using electrochemical techniques to determine the surface concentration of bimetallic nanoparticles. Further, the activity for oxygen reduction reaction will be determined for each samples using a rotating disk electrode (RDE) in acidic media to elucidate the effects of surface concentration and the core.

The project deals with development and synthesis of electrocatalysts for generation of electrical power and electro-synthesis of valuable chemicals from electrochemical oxidation of low molecular weight polyols (ethylene glycol (C2 H6 O2 ) and glycerol (C3 H8 O3 )). The primary objective would be to (a) synthesize several “core-shell” noble metal based electrocatalysts and (b) evaluation of their activity for oxidation of low molecular weight polyols for power generation. The project would also explore the selectivity of different catalysts towards electro-synthesis of high value chemicals.