Problems:

1. NSF CEAS REU PROJECT 1:Portable Device for Formaldehyde Detection and Removal in Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell Effluent Faculty Mentor: Anastasios P. Angelopoulos Graduate Assistant: Adam D. Worrall Introduction: Recent developments in highly active and durable catalysts for room-temperature alcohol electro-oxidation have made these fuels attractive replacements for hydrogen in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. Problems: 1) Incomplete oxidation of these materials can increase levels of toxic gases such as formaldehyde in the humidified effluent. In 2011, formaldehyde was recognized by the US National Toxicology Program as a human carcinogen. Human toxicity is presently believed to occur at formaldehyde exposures even as low as 2 ppm. 2) Existing methods for formaldehyde analysis involve the use of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) instrumentation that is not sufficiently portable or cost-effective for integration into fuel cell stacks intended for automotive application. 3) Recent developments on the use of optical sensing arrays are too cumbersome for incorporation into fuel cell stacks. Feng, L.; Musto, C.J.; Suslick, K. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132, 4046-4047 Objective: Develop portable, cost-effective method of formaldehyde emissions measurement in real time.

2. Approach: Use membrane catalyst sensing approach wherein a high degree of selectivity is achieved through organic synthesis while optical measurement provides ppb sensitivity. . 1) Ayyadurai, S.; Worrall, A.D., Bernstein, J.A.; Angelopoulos, A.P. Anal. Chem. 2010,82, 6265. 2) Worrall, A.D.; Bernstein, J.A.; Angelopoulos, A.P. Talanta 2013, 112, 26. Methods/Expected Outcomes: 1) Investigate mechanisms via which various membrane additives have been found to eliminate water interference. . 3) Demonstrate ability of approach to quantify formaldehyde emissions from commercial fuel cell test stand. . 2) Learn to characterize and calibrate optical response of membranes to various organic agents using fiber-optic UV/Vis system. .