Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction at non-metalated and pyrolysis free hypercrosslinked polymers

Abstract

Oxygen reduction is one of the core steps of non-emissive zero carbon energy conversion. Therefore, enhancement of its sluggish kinetics is extremely important. Very recently researchers focused on oxygen electrocatalysis at porous polymers. Here we applied the non-metalated and pyrolysis free hypercrosslinked polymers with high specific surface area and abundant active sites. Electrode modified with the copolymer prepared from the twisted triphenylbenzene and N containing triphenyl amine exhibits electrocatalytic ORR in alkaline medium. Tafel slope value (0.067 V dec⁻¹) indicates the efficient electrocatalytic activity and fast reaction kinetics. The lack of H₂O₂ product detected by scanning electrochemical microscopy suggests 4-electron path. The electrocatalytic activity of electrodes modified with hypercrosslinked polymers prepared from single monomers is also seen.