Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MAÍRA RACHEL GERÔNIMO DE FRANÇA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MAÍRA RACHEL GERÔNIMO DE FRANÇA
DATE: 04/09/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Vídeoconferência
TITLE:

Electrochemical production of green H2 for the conversion of organic compounds into high-value-added products via heterogeneous catalysis

KEY WORDS:

organic compounds, renewable energy, green hydrogen, value-added products, electrochemical process.

PAGES: 80
BIG AREA: Ciências Exatas e da Terra
AREA: Química
SUBÁREA: Físico-Química
SPECIALTY: Eletroquímica
SUMMARY:

Hydrogen is a renewable energy source that is becoming one of the most competitive fuel options for the future. Hydrogen production is driven by both renewable and non-renewable energy resources (such as fossil fuels); however, conventional production methods—including steam reforming of methane, naphtha, biomass, and biological sources—are costly, have limited efficiency, and cause environmental pollution, in addition to yielding low-purity hydrogen. Currently, water electrolysis devices for hydrogen production have attracted significant attention. This technology involves stacks of electrochemical cells where the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occur in the cathodic and anodic compartments, respectively. In this context, electro-oxidation (EO) stands out as the most popular electrolytic process for removing organic pollutants from various water matrices; it is a highly efficient, versatile, and safe technique, and is considered environmentally friendly when coupled with renewable energy sources. Accordingly, this study investigates green hydrogen production via the electrochemical oxidation (EO) of organic matter; the electrochemical experiments were conducted in a two-compartment cell separated by a Nafion membrane. The EO process utilized 350 mL of wastewater circulating through the anodic compartment at a constant flow rate of 90 mL min⁻¹, while the hydrogen produced at the cathode was repurposed for the conversion of nitrobenzene (NB) into high-value-added products. The variables investigated in the NB conversion trials were: (i) different current densities (60, 90, and 120 mA cm⁻²), temperatures (25, 40, and 55°C), catalysts (Pt- and Pd-based), and catalyst loadings (Pt: 20, 30, and 40 mg; and Pd: 40, 80, and 120 mg). The results demonstrated that catalytic hydrogenation is efficient for converting NB to aniline; however, the best catalyst for the conversion of NB to aniline was Pt supported on carbon, given its rapid transformation rate (100% in 1 hour of reaction) compared to Pd (40% over the same time period).

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1645110 - CARLOS ALBERTO MARTINEZ HUITLE
Interna - 2275848 - ELISAMA VIEIRA DOS SANTOS
Interna - 2140775 - LIVIA NUNES CAVALCANTI
Externo à Instituição - JOSÉ EUDES LIMA SANTOS - IFRN