Innovative methods in electrochemistry based on polymers of intrinsic microporosity

Elena Madrid, Neil B. McKeown

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) are a new class of material that offer excellent processability and ion (semi-)permeability with great potential for applications in electrochemical technologies. The intrinsic microporosity is generated from inefficient packing of the rigid polymer backbone. Solutions of PIMs are used to form porous polymer matrices with embedded nano-particles and molecular catalysts for modified electrodes. Because of the hydrophobicity of PIMs, trapped liquid electrolyte and gas can coexist for “triphasic” electrochemistry and for electrocatalysis. Deposition of PIMs onto laser-drilled microholes in PET films enables ion conductivity studies that have revealed “ionic diode” effect. These ionic diodes have been proposed for applications in desalination and in sensing. Finally, mild carbonization of PIMs yield carbons without disrupting microporosity. This provides a new methodology for the development of functionalised conductive porous materials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-66
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Electrochemistry
Volume10
Early online date26 Apr 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2018

Funding

E.M. thanks the EPSRC ( EP/K004956/1 ). E.M. and N.B.M. thank the Leverhulme Foundation (RPG-2014-308: “New Materials for Ionic Diodes and Ionic Photodiodes”) for financial support.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrochemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry

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