Preparation and electrocatalytic performance of ferrocene-based organic porous materials

Abstract

In recent years, the development of new sustainable chemical energy conversion systems has received increasing attention as the country's focus on energy demand continues to increase. Among them, oxygen reduction reactions are in an important position in many energy conversion systems. However, the most efficient platinum metal for catalytic cathodic oxygen reduction reactions is hindered by its high cost and poor stability for widespread use in areas such as fuel cells. Therefore, the development of new catalyst materials that are inexpensive, efficient and highly stable is a current research hotspot for electrochemical oxygen reduction reactions.

In this thesis, we chose to synthesize a conjugated ferrocene-based microporous polymer using Sonogashira-Hagihara coupling reaction with dibromoferrocene and triethynylbenzene as the building blocks. The ferrocene-based conjugated microporous polymer was also characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The specific surface area of this material was determined by nitrogen adsorption and desorption curves. In addition, to enhance its electrical conductivity, composites of ferrocene-based conjugated microporous polymers with carbon nanotubes were prepared by in situ synthesis. Subsequently, their catalytic properties for oxygen reduction reactions were initially investigated.