Poster Presentation 13
Glycerol Oxidation on Supported Electroless CuNiMoP
Oyidia Elendu, Egwu E. Kalu, Yaw D. Yeboah
Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
2525 Pottsdamer Street Tallahassee, FL 32310-6046
Abstract
Glycerol is a bye-product of the transesterification of vegetable oils and fats, a process through which
biodiesel is made. Government’s encouragement of greener and renewable energy alternatives have led to an
increase in the production of biofuel and thus, glycerol. This abundance, and consequently, low price is one
reason that glycerol is among twelve chemicals that US1 government is interested in as building blocks for
families of compounds. Another reason is that it is a relatively simple molecule, and many different functional
groups can be attached to its three carbon backbone; understanding these reactions can lead to a better
understanding when/if more complex molecules are being investigated.
One way to use this glycerol derived from biodiesel production is as fuel in a direct glycerol fuel cell
operated under alkaline conditions. This electrochemical avenue has considerable economic appeal, both as a
source of power and a source of fine chemicals. The sequential oxidation reactions which take place in the fuel
cell – in which there are many reaction intermediates - can yield various fine chemicals.
In this work, the oxidation of glycerol under alkaline conditions are investigated using electrochemical
techniques. The methods of preparation of the CuNiMoP electro-catalysts on these different supports, and the
effects of these on the kinetics of glycerol oxidation, will be shown.
1
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/11/f19/DOE-LPO-MiniReport_Final%2011%2013%2014_0.pdf
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