Polymer Brushes Ionic Liquid as a Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Abstract

Developing efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains an important task for future electrochemical energy applications. Here, we investigate the use of polymer brushes ionic liquid, poly(IL), as an emerging catalyst for ORR. Our results show that the poly(IL) presents a promising electrocatalytic activity which is correlated to the chemical composition and the nanostructuration of the polymer. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of poly(IL) as a host guest platform for Pt catalyst, providing for the hybrid material a more efficient catalytic activity and tolerance to crossover reaction. In addition, we also reveal the potential use of poly(IL) and the hybrid material, poly(IL)/Pt, as an efficient bifunctional catalyst for ORR and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).