Impact of synthetic strategies for the preparation of polymers and metal-polymer hybrid composites in electrocatalysis applications

• Published in: Synthetic metals Vol. 282; p. 116956
• Main Authors: V, Divya, K, Shireesha, Chakra Ch, Shilpa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.12.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Ascorbic acid oxidation; Catalytic activity; Conducting polymer; Dichloromethane; Electrocatalysis; Fourier transforms; Fuel cells; Hybrid composites; Hybrid materials; Infrared spectroscopy; Interfacial electron transfer; Interfacial polymerization; Liquid-liquid interfaces; Liquid/Liquid Interface; Low temperature; Oxidation; Oxidative polymerization; Percolation; Polymer matrix composites; Silver; Silver-polyindole hybrid composites; Spectrum analysis; X-ray spectroscopy; Ascorbic acid oxidation; Electrocatalysis; Liquid/Liquid Interface; Conducting polymer; Interfacial polymerization; Oxidative polymerization; Hybrid materials; Silver-polyindole hybrid composites; Interfacial electron transfer
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2021.116956

The current study demonstrates the great importance of synthetic strategy on catalytic behaviours of hybrid and non-hybrid polyindole based composites. The synthesis of polyindole and hybrid silver-polyindole composites was carried out in an aqueous (water) media, a bi-percolating liquid (methanol/water) mixture, and at an aqueous/organic (water/dichloromethane) interface. The characterizations of polyindole (PIn) and silver-polyindole (Ag-PIn) were carried out by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The properties of the composites were compared based on the synthetic strategy and hybridization of polyindole. The electrocatalytic activity of PIn and hybrid Ag-PIn composites were analyzed using Cyclic Voltammetry and Impedance Spectroscopy. The PIn and hybrid Ag-PIn composites synthesized at the liquid/liquid interface show superior catalytic behaviour than the other methods. Further, the hybrid composites synthesized using all the protocols have significant current densities than non-hybrid polyindole ((PIn)A (0.28 mA/cm2) < (PIn)M (0.79 mA/cm2) < (PIn)L (1.42 mA/cm2) < (Ag-PIn)A (1.85 mA/cm2) < (Ag-PIn)M (3.02 mA/cm2) < (Ag-PIn)L (3.46 mA/cm2)). The catalytic activity of polyindole and hybrid-polyindole are in the order as (PIn)A ˂ (PIn)M ˂ (PIn)L ˂ (Ag-PIn)A ˂ (Ag-PIn)M ˂ (Ag-PIn)L, emphasizes the impact of synthetic protocol and hybridization in Electrocatalysis applications. The Ag-PIn composite obtained at liquid/liquid interface will effectively work as an attractive, non-platinum-based alternative and cost-effective catalyst for electro oxidation of prospective fuel, such as ascorbic acid for low-temperature fuel cell technology. The data that supports the findings of this study are available within the article [and its supplementary material]. [Display omitted] •The influence of synthetic protocol on catalysis behaviour was studied systematically.•An attractive, cost effective, non-platinum based catalyst and highly abundant, eco-friendly fuel is chosen.•(PIn)A, (Ag-PIn)A, (PIn)M, (Ag-PIn)M, (PIn)L, (Ag-PIn)L catalysts are synthesised in various systems.•The Ascorbic acid is used to promote electrocatalysis on (PIn)A, (Ag-PIn)A, (PIn)M , (Ag-PIn)M, (PIn)L, (Ag-PIn)L catalysts.•The order of catalytic ability is as follows: SS-Mesh ˂ (PIn)A ˂ (PIn)M ˂ (PIn)L ˂ (Ag-PIn)A ˂ (Ag-PIn)M ˂ (Ag-PIn)L.