Microenvironment regulation of electropolymerized Thiophene-Based conductive polymers for enhanced electrocatalyzed hydrogen evolutions and oxygen reductions

Abstract

Herein, a series of thiophene-based conductive polymers were prepared through electrochemical polymerization processes, and their microenvironments were modulated by introducing triazine/benzene linkers and co-polymerizing with various hydrophilic thiophene derivatives. Importantly, the rationally designed polythiophene G-3TT-COOCH3 with electron-withdrawing triazine unit and most satisfied hydrophilic surface exhibits the satisfied electrochemically catalyzed hydrogen evolutions and selective oxygen reduction properties to H2O2 which are better than most of organic catalysts.