Metal-free graphene electrodes for hydrogen peroxide production

Metal-free graphene electrodes for hydrogen peroxide production

 

Project Summary:

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the most important and versatile chemicals with widespread applications in many industrial fields. H2O2 is currently produced through the multistep anthraquinone oxidation process, which is energy intensive and environmentally unfriendly. This project will explore graphene-based materials, including vertical graphene and N-doped graphene, as the metal-free electrodes for electrochemical H2O2 production. A key challenge in developing metal-free electrodes is that they often suffer from low Faradaic efficiency and stability when producing H2O2 at high current densities. The project will aim to overcome this challenge via structural and surface engineering of graphene-based materials using plasma and/or chemical methods. Flow cell assembly and operation will also be explored to produce H2O2 in a continuous high throughput manner, which will be potential for practical applications. 

The project will include the following activities:

  • Prepare graphene-based electrodes with tunable surface wettability, functional groups and dopants.
  • Evaluate electrochemical H2O2 production using the graphene-based electrodes in flow cell configuration.
  • Investigate the active sites and three-phase interfacial engineering for enhanced H2O2 production at high current densities and mass transfer rate.

 

 Academic Supervisor:

Dr Zhaojun Han

Professor Rose Amal

 

Research Environment:

The student will have the opportunity to work in the Particles and Catalysis Research Group (PartCat) at the School of Chemical Engineering and ARC Training Centre for the Global Hydrogen Economy. Student will have access to well-equipped laboratories with comprehensive experimental facilities for photo/electrocatalysis research and will work in a multidisciplinary research environment and learn various functional skills.

The Candidate:
The candidate should have a passion in pursuing research in renewable energy and, due to current international travel restrictions, preferably reside onshore.

Interested to apply?
Please visit the HDR Application page to understand the process and also send your CV, academic transcript and English test result (taken within 2  years) to Dr Zhaojun Han

Scholarship maybe available for suitable candidate.