Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity in Triphasic Electrochemistry: Perspectives

Abstract

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) as molecularly rigid polymers have emerged as a new class of gas‐permeable glassy materials. They offer excellent processability and a range of potential applications also in electrochemical processes. Particularly interesting is the ability of some PIM films to remain gas‐permeable/binding even in the presence of (aqueous) liquid electrolyte to give triphasic interfacial reactivity. Gaseous reagents or products (such as hydrogen or oxygen) are bound probably into hydrophobic regions in the wet PIM film to avoid macroscopic bubble formation and to enhance both the surface reactivity and the apparent activity of the gas solute close to the electrode/catalyst surface. The photoelectrochemical formation of hydrogen gas close to a platinum electrode is enhanced by PIM‐1, which is presented as an example of energy harvesting through molecular H2 “energy carrier” transport.

Size‐Selective Photoelectrochemical Reactions in Microporous Environments: Clark Probe Investigation of Pt@g‐C3N4 Embedded into Intrinsically Microporous Polymer (PIM‐1)

“…PIM‐1 films in conjunction with photocatalysts have been reported previously for Pt@TiO 2 [25] and for Pt@g‐C 3 N 4 on platinum surfaces [26] or on hydrogen‐permeable palladium membranes [27] . A key feature observed for PIM‐1 and similar polymers is the ability to affect gas reactivity in liquid (or triphasic) environments [28] . Here, the effects of PIM‐1 on photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from Pt@g‐C 3 N 4 in the presence of aqueous quenchers (hexanol, sorbitol, gluconic acid, glucose, sucrose, or raffinose) is reported.…”

The immobilisation and reactivity of Fe(CN)63−/4− in an intrinsically microporous polyamine (PIM-EA-TB)

“…Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs [25]) have been developed as a new class of molecularly rigid backbone materials with properties such as (i) high microporosity and surface area [26][27][28], (ii) controlled gas permeation and separation [29], (iii) good solubility and processability [30], and (iv) potential for applications in electrochemical systems [31] and membranes [32]. Here, the microporous material PIM-EA-TB is employed ("EA" = ethanoanthracene and "TB" = Tröger base [33], see molecular structure in Fig.…”

Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity in the Design of Electrochemical Multicomponent and Multiphase Interfaces

“…PIM materials have been shown to affect the way gases interact with the electrode or catalyst surface . Both PIM-1 and PIM-PY (Figure ) were observed to bind gaseous species such as hydrogen and oxygen when immersed in aqueous electrolyte …”

“…38,39 PIM materials have been shown to affect the way gases interact with the electrode or catalyst surface. 40 Both PIM-1 and PIM-PY (Figure 1) were observed to bind gaseous species such as hydrogen and oxygen when immersed in aqueous electrolyte. 41 Figure 6 shows data from cyclic voltammetry with a platinum disk electrode immersed in 0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 7.7 solution.…”