High-surface-area organic matrix tris(aza)pentacene supported platinum nanostructures as selective electrocatalyst for hydrogen oxidation/evolution reaction and suppressive for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Developing a Pt-based electrocatalytic material able to selectively catalyze hydrogen oxidation (HOR) while supressing oxygen reduction (ORR) is beneficial for durability of the fuel cells. Namely, degradation of carbon supported Pt particles is dramatically influenced by the unwanted ORR enrolling at the anode due to the air penetration during start-up/shut-down events. We present an organic matrix tris(aza)pentacene (TAP), which belongs to π-functional materials with ladder-like conjugated nitrogen-containing units, as the support for Pt to form a “smart” fuel cell anode able to selectively catalyze HOR and to suppress ORR. “Switching-on/off” of the composite material activity is provided by reversible reduction/oxidation of the TAP in the low potential region which provokes TAP - HxTAP transition. Conductivity of the reduced HxTAP enables supported Pt particles to effectively run HOR. In contrast, restricted conductivity of oxidized TAP analogue leads to the substantial drop in the ORR activity with respect to benchmark Pt/C catalyst.