2017 Research in the Capitol

Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Keywords

Titanium dioxide; Catalysts; Water--Electrolysis;

Abstract

Titanium dioxide has been shown to be an effective catalyst for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. By increasing the surface area of the titanium dioxide catalyst, the rate of water splitting may increase. A possible method to increase the splitting of water uses a high surface area composite material formed by coating nanocellulose aerogels with titanium dioxide. Different coating methods were studied using titanium isopropoxide as the titanium dioxide source to create such composites. It was found that the most consistent titanium dioxide coatings were formed during a 12 hour titanium isopropoxide vapor bath. Other coating methods collapsed the aerogel structure destroying the properties needed for an efficient catalyst. Further study will be needed to determine if this material is viable for enhanced water splitting. If successful, the hydrogen gas can be collected and used as a clean energy source for reducing pollution in existing technologies.

Start Date

28-3-2017 11:30 AM

End Date

28-3-2017 1:30 PM

Event Host

University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities

Faculty Advisor

Tim Kidd

Department

Department of Physics

File Format

application/pdf

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Mar 28th, 11:30 AM Mar 28th, 1:30 PM

TiO2 Coating Method for Nanocellulose Aerogel

Titanium dioxide has been shown to be an effective catalyst for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. By increasing the surface area of the titanium dioxide catalyst, the rate of water splitting may increase. A possible method to increase the splitting of water uses a high surface area composite material formed by coating nanocellulose aerogels with titanium dioxide. Different coating methods were studied using titanium isopropoxide as the titanium dioxide source to create such composites. It was found that the most consistent titanium dioxide coatings were formed during a 12 hour titanium isopropoxide vapor bath. Other coating methods collapsed the aerogel structure destroying the properties needed for an efficient catalyst. Further study will be needed to determine if this material is viable for enhanced water splitting. If successful, the hydrogen gas can be collected and used as a clean energy source for reducing pollution in existing technologies.