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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Electrocatalysis of CO2 Reduction in Brush Polymer Ion Gels
Brendon J McNicholas1, James D Blakemore1, Alice B Chang1
1Beckman Institute and Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology , 1200 East California Boulevard, Mail Code 139-74, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.
Abstract:
The electrochemical characterization of brush polymer ion gels containing embedded small-molecule redox-active species is reported. Gels comprising PS-PEO-PS triblock brush polymer, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIm-TFSI), and some combination of ferrocene (Fc), cobaltocenium (CoCp2(+)), and Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl (1) exhibit diffusion-controlled redox processes with diffusion coefficients approximately one-fifth of those observed in neat BMIm-TFSI. Notably, 1 dissolves homogeneously in the interpenetrating matrix domain of the ion gel and displays electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO in the gel. The catalytic wave exhibits a positive shift versus Fc(+/0) compared with analogous nonaqueous solvents with a reduction potential 450 mV positive of onset and 90% Faradaic efficiency for CO production. These materials provide a promising and alternative approach to immobilized electrocatalysis, creating numerous opportunities for application in solid-state devices.
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