Electrochemically grown Polymer-graphene Quantum dot composites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The work presents a facile method for the preparation of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts through the electrochemical polymerisation of small molecule containing pyridinic and imine-type nitrogen atoms with lone-pair electrons to perform more effective ORR investigated in alkaline KOH medium. The PEDOT modified gold electrode showed a lower activity towards the ORR than the PEPE modified one owing to the presence of N containing pyridine units in the polymeric backbone structure. On further note, PEPE-CGQDs modified electrodes did not show any improvement in ORR activity compared to PEPE alone due to the ineffectiveness of CGQDs towards the development of a superior ORR catalyst.