Polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) enhances hydrogen peroxide production at Gii-Sens graphene foam electrodes

Abstract

3D-graphene foam electrodes (Gii-Sens) immersed in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 7 are shown to generate hydrogen peroxide at a significantly faster rate in the presence of a nanoparticulate polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1). The effect is demonstrated to be associated at least in part with oxygen binding into PIM-1 under triphasic conditions. The release of the oxygen at the electrode|solution interface quadruples H2O2 production. Generator–collector experiments are performed with a graphene foam disk generator and a platinum disk electrode collector to allow in situ detection of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen.

Keywords

• Graphene
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Generator–collector voltammetry
• Disinfection
• Catalysis