Oxygen Electroreduction Catalysts Based on Polymer Complexes of Nickel with Schiff Bases

Abstract

In energy-storage systems such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries, the main current-forming process is the reaction of oxygen electroreduction (OER). A simple method is proposed for synthesizing OER catalysts based on polymer complexes of transition metals (nickel, palladium) with Schiff bases prepared by electrochemical polymerization of starting monomers. The OER catalysts are prepared by thermolysis of polymers in inert atmosphere. Their properties are characterized by the methods of cyclic voltammetry with the use of a rotating disk electrode. The surface state (the catalyst film density, the size and composition of particles) is controlled by scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis. The electrode demonstrates the high catalytic activity in the oxygen electroreduction reaction in alkaline solutions (higher than 750 mA/mg of the initial polymer mass).