Physical Chemistry Seminar – Jayson DeMers, Chemistry PhD Student

About the event

Title: Electrochemical Quantitative Analysis of Hydrogen Sorption / Desorption in Palladium During Acidic Electrolysis

Abstract: Recent studies were completed on palladium catalysts that explored hydrogen storage applications during electrolysis. 4.0 to 5.0 mg samples of palladium were tested from 200 to -200 millivolts at 10 mV per second scans in acidic conditions by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV results were then split into reduction and oxidation curve cycles and integrated with respect to potential. The integrations allowed for quantitative analysis of hydrogen sorption and desorption from the palladium catalyst. This analysis showed a favorability for sorption over desorption, with area differences indicating more reduction of hydrogen than oxidation. The analysis also showed that the net difference changed over several scans, indicating a limit of sorption.