A Poly(cobaloxime)/Carbon Nanotube Electrode: Freestanding Buckypaper with Polymer‐Enhanced H 2 ‐Evolution Performance

Abstract

A freestanding H 2 ‐evolution electrode consisting of a copolymer‐embedded cobaloxime integrated into a multiwall carbon nanotube matrix by π–π interactions is reported. This electrode is straightforward to assemble and displays high activity towards hydrogen evolution in near‐neutral pH solution under inert and aerobic conditions, with a cobalt‐based turnover number (TON Co ) of up to 420. An analogous electrode with a monomeric cobaloxime showed less activity with a TON Co of only 80. These results suggest that, in addition to the high surface area of the porous network of the buckypaper, the polymeric scaffold provides a stabilizing environment to the catalyst, leading to further enhancement in catalytic performance. We have therefore established that the use of a multifunctional copolymeric architecture is a viable strategy to enhance the performance of molecular electrocatalysts.