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Metal‐Free Hydrogen‐Bonded Polymers Mimic Noble Metal Electrocatalysts
Author(s) -
Coskun Halime,
Aljabour Abdalaziz,
Luna Phil,
Sun He,
Nishiumi Nobuyuki,
Yoshida Tsukasa,
Koller Georg,
Ramsey Michael G.,
Greunz Theresia,
Stifter David,
Strobel Moritz,
Hild Sabine,
Hassel Achim Walter,
Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar,
Sargent Edward H.,
Stadler Philipp
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201902177
Subject(s) - overpotential , electrocatalyst , materials science , platinum , electrochemistry , hydrogen , polymer , electrolysis , catalysis , chemical engineering , electrolysis of water , inorganic chemistry , noble metal , metal , combinatorial chemistry , electrode , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering , electrolyte , metallurgy
The most active and efficient catalysts for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rely on platinum, a fact that increases the cost of producing hydrogen and thereby limits the widespread adoption of this fuel. Here, a metal‐free organic electrocatalyst that mimics the platinum surface by implementing a high work function and incorporating hydrogen‐affine hydrogen bonds is introduced. These motifs, inspired from enzymology, are deployed here as selective reaction centres. It is shown that the keto‐amine hydrogen‐bond motif enhances the rate‐determining step in proton reduction to molecular hydrogen. The keto‐amine‐functionalized polymers reported herein evolve hydrogen at an overpotential of 190 mV. They share certain key properties with platinum: a similar work function and excellent electrochemical stability and chemical robustness. These properties allow the demonstration of one week of continuous HER operation without notable degradation nor delamination from the carrier electrode. Scaled continuous‐flow electrolysis is reported and 1 L net molecular hydrogen is produced within less than 9 h using 2.3 mg of polymer electrocatalyst.