Initial testing and adaptation of a new method for measuring oxygen evolution from mixed metal oxides.

Authors

  • Sarah Ann Starcovic Fairmont State University
  • Isaac Boyce Fairmont State University
  • Kaylee Andersen Fairmont State University
  • Lindsey LaNeve Fairmont State University
  • Ashley Ruza Fairmont State University
  • Allison Moore Fairmont State University
  • Erica Harvey Fairmont State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v91i1.567

Keywords:

combinatorial materials science

Abstract

SARAH STARCOVIC, ISAAC BOYCE, KAYLEE ANDERSEN, LINDSEY LANEVE, ASHLEY RUZA, ALLISON MOORE, and ERICA HARVEY, Dept. of Natural Sciences, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV, 26554.  Initial testing and adaptation of a new method for measuring oxygen evolution from mixed metal oxides.

 

The oxygen generating capacity of mixed metal oxides deposited on a conductive glass sample plate is currently tested in our lab with a fluorescence-based device called HARPOON (Heterogeneous Anodes Rapidly Perused for Oxygen Evolution), developed and disseminated as part of the nationwide Solar Army research initiative. The research goal of the Solar Army is to find metal oxide combinations that speed up the splitting of water, with the ultimate goal of creating a device for solar hydrogen fuel generation. If a new metal oxide combination is more effective at oxygen generation than the internal standards included on every sample, this may indicate a promising catalyst.

   A recent literature paper outlined a new method to test for oxygen evolution that could potentially make our research and outreach significantly easier. A sample plate to be tested for oxygen evolution is placed in a suspension of TiO2nanoparticles in an electrolyte. As a voltage is applied and oxygen is produced at the surface of the metal oxides, oxygen gas bubbles are nucleated by the TiO2and visualized by light scattering. This work reports on the initial testing and adaptation of the literature method to our undergraduate laboratory setting. A preliminary comparison of results obtained from HARPOON and HARPOON 2.0 will be presented, along with an analysis of the pros and cons of the two methods. This research has been supported by the Fairmont State University College of Science and Technology as well as the NASA WV Space Grant Consortium.

Author Biographies

Sarah Ann Starcovic, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Isaac Boyce, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Kaylee Andersen, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Lindsey LaNeve, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Ashley Ruza, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Allison Moore, Fairmont State University

Undergraduate Researcher at Fairmont State University

Erica Harvey, Fairmont State University

Chemistry Faculty at Fairmont State University

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Published

2019-03-20

How to Cite

Starcovic, S. A., Boyce, I., Andersen, K., LaNeve, L., Ruza, A., Moore, A., & Harvey, E. (2019). Initial testing and adaptation of a new method for measuring oxygen evolution from mixed metal oxides. Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science, 91(1). https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v91i1.567

Issue

Section

Meeting Abstracts-Poster