Copper-based electrocatalysts for energy applications and sensing

The primary aim of this project is to develop novel electrocatalysts, composed of Earth abundant elements, for the efficient electrochemical oxidation of sustainable fuels e.g. alcohols, glycerol and carbohydrates. Copper nitroxyl-based electrocatalysts, inspired by the active sites of alcohol oxidising enzymes, have recently emerged as viable alcohol oxidising catalysts for the scalable synthesis of fine chemicals. It has yet to be investigated, though, if such catalysts can be adapted for oxidation of alcohol based fuels for electrochemical energy conversion. This project will examine a series of structurally related copper nitroxyl complexes as redox mediators for the oxidation of alcohol-based fuels. A strong emphasis will be placed on unravelling the underlying reaction mechanism, which, to date, is largely unknown. Insights gained from this will permit rational enhancement of catalyst activity, through electronic and structural tuning, and optimisation of reaction conditions. Electrocatalysts which exhibit desirable electrochemical properties will be benchmarked against 'state of the art' alcohol oxidation electrocatalysts, which are mainly composed of platinum group metals. Whilst the main focus of the project is concerned with developing copper-based electrocatalysts for energy applications, promising catalysts will also be investigated in electrochemical sensor configurations for detection of alcohol containing analytes of clinical interest such as cholesterol.