Elizabeth J. Biddinger

The synthesis and the chemical and physical properties of non-aqueous silylamine solvents for carbon dioxide capture.

Silylamine reversible ionic liquids were designed to achieve specific physical properties in order to address effective CO₂ capture. The reversible ionic liquid systems reported herein represent a class of switchable solvents where a relatively non-polar silylamine (molecular liquid) is reversibly transformed to a reversible ionic liquid (RevIL) by reaction with CO₂ (chemisorption). The RevILs can further capture additional CO₂ through physical absorption (physisorption). The effects of changes in structure on (1) the CO₂ capture capacity (chemisorption and physisorption), (2) the viscosity of the solvent systems at partial and total conversion to the ionic liquid state, (3) the energy required for reversing the CO₂ capture process, and (4) the ability to recycle the solvents systems are reported.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Nonaqueous Silylamines for Efficient CO2 Capture

A series of silylated amines have been synthesized for use as reversible ionic liquids in the application of post-combustion carbon capture. We describe a molecular design process aimed at influencing industrially relevant carbon capture properties, such as viscosity, temperature of reversal, and enthalpy of regeneration, while maximizing the overall CO2 -capture capacity. A strong structure-property relationship among the silylamines is demonstrated in which minor structural modifications lead to significant changes in the bulk properties of the reversible ionic liquid formed from reaction with CO2 .

Non-precious metal oxygen reduction catalysts for PEM fuel cells

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are being considered as a potential alternative energy conversion device for mobile power applications. Since the electrolyte of a PEM fuel cell can function at low temperatures (typically at 80 °C), PEMFCs are unique from the other commercially viable ty...

RRDE Catalyst Ink Aging Effects on Selectivity to Water Formation in ORR

Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) testing is commonly used for determining the activity and selectivity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The effect of RRDE catalyst ink aging on the reported selectivity to water formation was studied for both commercial Pt/Vulcan carbon and nitrogen-containing nanostructured carbon (CN x ) catalysts. Aging the ink before application could cause a significant improvement in the selectivity measured. While the reasons behind this improvement in selectivity are not yet clear, possible explanations include changes in physical properties of the catalyst, changes in surface hydrophilicity, and changes in surface oxygen functional groups.