title: Assembly of a Cost-Effective Anode Using Palladium Nanoparticles for Alkaline Fuel Cell Applications.
abstract: Nanotechnology allows the synthesis of nanoscale catalysts, which offer an efficient alternative for fuel cell applications. In this laboratory experiment, the student selects a cost-effective anode for fuel cells by comparing three different working electrodes. These are commercially available palladium (Pd) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes, and a carbon paste (CP) electrode that is prepared by the students in the laboratory. The GC and CP were modified with palladium nanoparticles (PdNP) suspensions. The electrodes efficiencies were studied for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution using cyclic voltammetry techniques. The ethanol oxidation currents obtained were used to determine the current density using the geometric and surface area of each electrode. Finally, students were able to choose the best electrode and relate catalytic activity to surface area for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution by completing a critical analysis of the cyclic voltammetry results. With this activity, fundamental electrochemical concepts were reinforced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Ileana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Feliciano-Ramos
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Casañas-Montes
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: María M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: García-Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Christian L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Menéndez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mayol
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Liz M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Díaz-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Nanoscale Materials, University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, P.O. Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346, United States.
authors.forename: Carlos R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cabrera
keywords: Analytical Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Nanotechnology; Problem Solving/Decision Making; Upper-Division Undergraduate