Ramasamy (Samy) Palaniappan

• PhD
• PostDoc Position at KU Leuven

Metallic and bimetallic electrocatalysts of the type PtxM1-x (where M = Ru, Rh, Ir, Ni) electrodeposited on carbon fiber paper were evaluated as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an ammonia electrolytic cell. The addition of 1 M ammonia resulted in an increase in the HER overpotential for all electrocatalysts except Rh....

The effects of ammonia on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with Pt, Rh, Ru, and Ni have been investigated using electrochemical methods. The activity of the catalysts for HER, in the presence of ammonia follows the trend Rh > Pt > Ru > Ni. Pt and Ru exhibit a decrease in the activity toward HER. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) studies show that the p...

The ammonia removal from industrial and diary wastes can be done by alkaline ammonia electrolysis process, while simultaneously producing hydrogen. This process is carried out at a pH of about 14. Currently, aqueous alkali is being used as the supporting electrolyte [1-3]. Electrolytic decomposition of ammonia takes place according to the following...

Fuel cells have emerged as a promising solution to the present energy problems. Amongst all the known fuel cells, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells or low temperature fuel cells have a well developed technology. They also have a technically sound infrastructure for their necessary implementation. Hydrogen is the primary fuel for the PEM fue...

Inhibition studies of N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and orthophenylenediamine (OPD) have shown that they were effective inhibitors of corrosion of carbon steel in HCl. The inhibitive behaviour of OPD with CTAB on the corrosion of carbon steel in 1 mol/L HCl was studied by gravimetric weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and e...

Millions of dollars are being spent worldwide on the repair and maintenance of sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Microbially-induced corrosion causes damage via micro-organisms. Deterioration is caused by acid excretion which etches the surface of concrete, penetrating the mortar surface, especially in sewer systems. The mechanisms of...

Polyphosphates and organophosphonates are used as corrosion inhibitors in cooling waters. Biocides are also added to avoid microfouling by cooling water in industries. This work has been undertaken to find the influence of biocides such as quaternary ammonium compounds like cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyl pyridinium bromide (CPB) o...

Even though Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) has been widely studied and reported it is seldom appreciated that, certain type of microorganisms can effectively contribute to inhibition of corrosion process. In the present study the best biofilm forming bacteria such as Staphylococcus sp was isolated from three-month old biofilm on mild...

In earlier days it was believed that the presence of microbes at a slightly higher density (i.e 104CFU) showed that the environment was corrosive. In the year 1995 researchers identified that there are certain groups of microorganisms which can offer protection to the materials. The majority of the research work concentrated on microbiologically in...

Involvement of biofilm or microorganisms in corrosion processes is widely acknowledged. Although majority of the studies on microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) have concentrated on aerobic/anaerobic bacteria. There are numerous aerobic bacteria, which could hinder the corrosion process. The microbiologically produced exopolymers provide the s...

The process of ennoblement has been correlated with extracellular polymers (enzyme theory) and biogenic manganese dioxide deposition by many investigators. In the present study, to find out the role of cations and polymers on ennoblement process investigation has been undertaken on materials such as 6XN-SS (UNS NO8387); C 276 (UNS NO10276); Titaniu...