Polymers of intrinsic microporosity in electrocatalysis: Novel pore rigidity effects and lamella palladium growth

Fengjie Xia, Mu Pan, Shichun Mu, Richard Malpass-Evans, Mariolino Carta, Neil B. Mckeown, Gary A. Attard, Ashley Brew, David J. Morgan, Frank Marken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (SciVal)
250 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Two polymers (i) the polymer of intrinsic microporosity (or PIM) ethanoanthracene TB-PIM (P1, PIM-EA-TB, MW 70 kDa, BET surface area 1027 m2 g-1) and (ii) the structurally less rigid polymer based on dimethyldiphenylmethane units (P2, BDMPM-TB, MW 100 kDa, BET surface area 47 m2g-1) are compared to highlight the benefits of the newly emerging PIM membrane materials in electrocatalysis and nanostructure formation. Binding sites and binding ability/capacity in aqueous environments are compared in films deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes for (i) indigo carmine dianion immobilisation (weakly binding from water-ethanol) and (ii) PdCl4 2- immobilisation (strongly binding from acidic media). Nano-lamella growth for Pd metal during electro-reduction of PdCl4 2- is observed. Electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid (at pH 6) is investigated for P1 and P2 as a function of film thickness. The more rigid high BET surface area PIM material P1 exhibits "open-pore" characteristics with much more promising electrocatalytic activity at Pd lamella within polymer pores.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-9
Number of pages7
JournalElectrochimica Acta
Volume128
Early online date9 Sept 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Polymers of intrinsic microporosity in electrocatalysis: Novel pore rigidity effects and lamella palladium growth'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this