Molecular Cobalt Catalysts Grafted onto Polymers for Efficient Hydrogen Generation Cathodes

Cheng-Bo Li,Yilong Chu,Junwang Tang,Pengfei Xie,Hongyan Wang,Lunqiao Xiong,Ning Wang

doi:10.1002/solr.202000281

Cheng-Bo Li, Yilong Chu + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202000281

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Abstract

A conjugated microporous polymer is in situ electropolymerized to form a basis for immobilization of a molecular catalyst onto glassy carbon. A cost‐effective molecular catalyst is then grafted onto the polymer by π–π interactions as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–vis spectra. The prepared cathode represents a high activity toward hydrogen evolution (109 100 turnovers in 2 h) in mild acidic aqueous solutions with a ≈100% faradaic efficiency. The cathode also shows a very good stability. In total, this article introduces a facile means to design and prepare a hydrogen generation cathode using widely available and inexpensive materials.

Highlights

A conjugated microporous polymer is in situ electropolymerized to form a basis for immobilization of a molecular catalyst onto glassy carbon
Surfaces for applications in electro- and photoelectrocatalytic H2 production, many systems are confined for implementation very good stability
Fabrication of cobalt(II)–salen complex immobilized electrodes via a polymeric interface starts with electropolymerization of TTB monomers to form conjugated microporous polymer PTTB on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) or glassy carbon (GC) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) method

Summary

Introduction

A conjugated microporous polymer is in situ electropolymerized to form a basis for immobilization of a molecular catalyst onto glassy carbon. The cathode shows a of soft molecular catalysts on hard electrodes is gaining interest.[3] some versatile strategies have been reported for their immobilization onto metal oxide,[4] carbon-based,[5] and conductive electrode[6]. Surfaces for applications in electro- and photoelectrocatalytic H2 production, many systems are confined for implementation very good stability. This article introduces a facile means to design and at scale due to being designed with synthetprepare a hydrogen generation cathode using widely available and inexpensive materials. Immobilization via drop-casting methods and other electrostatic-based deposition techniques used to affix molmaterials and techniques for electro- and photoelectrocatalytic ecules to surfaces offer ease of assembly, the development of hydrogen production has received increasing global attention.[2] more precise surface attachment chemistries could offer addi-

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