Modeling the Kinetics for the Electrolytic Oxidation of Manganese (II, III) Oxide
Faculty Sponsor
Robert Palumbo
College
Engineering
Discipline(s)
Mechanical Engineering
ORCID Identifier(s)
0000-0002-8026-7770
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-28-2016
Abstract
We are developing a finite-difference model to describe the kinetics for the electrochemical oxidation of manganese (II, III) oxide in a water splitting process. Evidence from exploratory studies using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) suggests a reaction pathway involving diffusion and adsorption to form the desired product, manganese (III) oxide. Coupling diffusion and surface processes at the anode allows the model to determine the twelve parameters that define the kinetics of the electrochemical system. The model is consistent with experimental evidence: a fit is possible only when the model includes electron transfer with the dissolved and adsorbed electroactive species. Due to the highly non-linear equations defining the mechanism, the parameters of the fit are highly dependent on the initial guess for related values. To ensure a high level of confidence in the kinetic parameters, model outputs will be compared between concomitant techniques and with values reported in literature.
Recommended Citation
Kotfer, Daniel; Christensen, Louis; Larson, Carol; Palumbo, Robert; Nudehi, Shahin; and Schoer, Jonathan, "Modeling the Kinetics for the Electrolytic Oxidation of Manganese (II, III) Oxide" (2016). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 582.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/582
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Daniel Kotfer is a senior biology and chemistry major, and has been doing electrochemistry research in the Palumbo lab for two years. He will continue to work on the project throughout his senior year and hopes to attend medical school after graduation.