Seminar presentation by Dr. Nella M. Vargas-Barbosa, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany; Hosted by Prof. Carlos Cabrera

  • Date August 25, 2018
Calendar
When:
September 28, 2016 @ 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
2016-09-28T16:15:00-04:00
2016-09-28T17:15:00-04:00
Where:
FB-341

Seminar Title:
“Insights into (photo)electrochemical water-splitting”

Presented by:
Dr. Nella M. Vargas-Barbosa
Department of Physical Chemistry
Philipps-University Marburg, Germany

Abstract:
The water-splitting reaction has been known for over a century, yet its efficient execution remains to be one of the “holy grails” for current researchers. During water-splitting, molecular water is converted to oxygen and hydrogen gas via multiple proton- and electron-transfer steps. Although the product of interest is high-purity hydrogen gas fuel, the thermodynamic and kinetic requirements of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are the main limiting factor. In this seminar various model (photo)electrocatalytic systems that address some of the bottlenecks in water-splitting cells will be discussed. Specifically, two types of electrocatalysts will be presented: colloidal iridium oxide nanoparticles and N(5)-ethyl-flavinium ion as heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts for the OER. Moreover, the benefits and challenges of utilizing commercial ion exchange membranes and buffered electrolytes for long-term water electrolysis are presented.

Short-bio:
Dr. Vargas-Barbosa completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus in 2010. During her studies she also conducted research on electrochemical biosensors under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Cabrera and sponsored by the MARC and RISE Undergraduate Programs. In 2015, she obtained her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University where she worked under the supervision of Dr. Thomas E. Mallouk on various projects related to the conversion of solar energy into chemical fuels as an NSF-Graduate Research Fellow. Currently, Dr. Vargas-Barbosa is a Postdoctoral Fellow sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Philipps-University in Marburg, Germany. Here, she is developing new expertise in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and ionic liquid electrolytes working in the group of Prof. Dr. Bernhard Roling. Her research interests focus on the application of (photo)electrochemical techniques to understand and quantify interfacial phenomena at metal- and semiconductor- electrolyte junctions and their applications in energy storage and production

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