Skip to main content

Perfluoro-Functionalized Conducting Polymers Enhance Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

Research Authors
Tharwat Hassan Mansoure, Hailemichael Ayalew, Wei-Lun Kao, Jing-Jong Shyue, Shyh-Chyang Luo, Yuan-Chung Cheng, and Hsiao-hua Yu
Research Abstract

In this study, films of perfluoro-functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(EDOT-F)] were prepared directly through electropolymerization for use as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), applying the rotating ring disk electrode technique. Poly(EDOT-F) operated catalytically through a two-electron and/or mixed pathway. Spinel Co3O4 nanospheres were introduced into poly(EDOT-F) to enhance its ORR performance and electron transfer number (n). Benefiting from its unique interconnected pore structure and its resemblance to the binder Nafion, poly(EDOT-F) could be used as a single replacement for both the binder and the carbon support required for the spinel Co3O4 nanospheres. The Co3O4/poly(EDOT-F) composite, when used as an electrode, exhibited a limiting current density of −4.761 mA cm–2 at 0.18 V (vs RHE) (cf. 20% Pt/C: −3.615 mA cm–2), an onset potential of 0.99 V (cf. 20% Pt/C: 0.938 V), and a half-wave potential of 0.628 V (cf. 20% Pt/C: 0.727 V) in 0.1 M aqueous KOH. The electron transfer number of the Co3O4/poly(EDOT-F) nanocomposite in the ORR was 3.84, suggesting a desirable four-electron pathway. This high electrocatalytic activity presumably resulted from the synergistic effect of the Co3O4 nanospheres and the poly(EDOT-F) polymer, which created many more active sites, enhanced the electron transfer kinetics, and eventually improved the ORR performance.

Research Department
Research Journal
ACS Applied Energy Materials
Research Publisher
American Chemical Society
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
3, 1
Research Website
https://pubs.acs.org/journal/aaemcq
Research Year
2020
Research Pages
1171-1180