Microgravity Effects on Chronoamperometric Ammonia Oxidation Reaction at Platinum Nanoparticles on Modified Mesoporous Carbon Supports

Abstract

The effect of microgravity on the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia at platinum nanoparticles supported on modified mesoporous carbons (MPC) with three different pore diameters (64, 100, and 137 A) was studied via the chronoamperometric technique in a half-cell. The catalysts were prepared by a H2 reductive process of PtCl $_{6}^{\mathrm {4-}}$ in presence of the mesoporous carbon support materials. A microgravity environment was obtained with an average gravity of less than 0.02 g created aboard an airplane performing parabolic maneuvers. Results show the chronoamperommetry of the ammonia oxidation reaction in 1.0 M NH4OH at 0.60 V vs. RHE under microgravity conditions. The current density, in all three catalysts, decreased while in microgravity conditions when compared to ground based experiments. Under microgravity, all three catalysts yielded a decrease in ammonia oxidation reaction current density between 25 to 63% versus terrestrial experimental results, in time scales between 1 and 15 s. The Pt catalyst prepared with mesoporous carbon of 137 A porous showed the smallest changes, between 25 to 48%. Nanostructuring catalyst materials have an effect on the level of current density decrease under microgravity conditions.