Rational Design of Novel Efficient Palladium Electrode Embellished 3D Hierarchical Graphene/Polyimide Foam for Hydrogen Peroxide Electroreduction

Abstract

The electrocatalytic applications of traditional polyimide film and carbon nanomaterials are hindered due to a shortage of three-dimensional hierarchical conductivity and porous structure. Herein, a novel polyimide-based electrode based on a highly efficient palladium nanocatalyst embellished three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide/polyimide foam (Pd/3D RGO@PI foam, signed PRP) toward H 2 O 2 electroreduction was designed and prepared through thermal foaming procedure, followed by facile dip-drying method and electrodeposition. As expected, such a binder-free, 3D hierarchical structure PRP electrode presented high catalytic property, good stability, as well as low activation energy toward H 2 O 2 electroreduction during the electrochemical measurement period. The PRP electrode showed a reduction current density of 810 mA•cm −2 at −0.2 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in 2.0 mol•L −1 H 2 SO 4 and 2.0 mol•L −1 H 2 O 2 . Moreover, the PRP electrode also illustrated good reproducibility and repeatability. Reproducibility presented almost 95.8% of the initial current density after 1000 cycles test. Also, the activation energy of H 2 O 2 electroreduction on 3D PRP electrode was 21.624 kJ•mol −1 . Benefiting from the 3D hierarchical structure and efficient catalyst, the PRP electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance and was considered to be a potential candidate material for fuel cells.

Polyimide-Based Foams: Fabrication and Multifunctional Applications

“…Usually, the prepolymer powder should be first added into a container, and then a subsequent thermal foaming treatment should also be carried out. As shown in Figure a, Yang et al fabricated the three-dimensional PI foam by the following steps: (1) the polymerization of BTDA and ODA with equivalent mole in methanol and tetrahydrofuran mixed solution and (2) thermal forming and imidization process . Besides, the bulky rGO@PI foam was prepared via immersing the PI foam into a certain concentration rGO suspension.…”

“…(a) Schematic illustration of the preparation of PI foam, 3D rGO@PI foam, and Pd/3D rGO@PI foam. Reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society.…”

“…As shown in Figure 2a, Yang et al fabricated the threedimensional PI foam by the following steps: (1) the polymerization of BTDA and ODA with equivalent mole in methanol and tetrahydrofuran mixed solution and (2) thermal forming and imidization process. 33 Besides, the bulky rGO@PI foam was prepared via immersing the PI foam into a certain concentration rGO suspension. With regard to Pd/ 3D rGO@PI foam, it was obtained by the direct electrodeposition of Pd on the bulky rGO@PI foam.…”

“…Schematic illustration of fabrication methods and multifunctions of polyimide-based foams. Powdered foaming method reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society.…”

Combining Microwave‐Assisted Foaming and Post Curing Process to Prepare Lightweight Flexible Polyimide Foams for Thermal Insulation Applications

“…To date, numerous commercial products such as thermoplastic PIFs (SOLIMIDE, TEEK, and UPILEX) and thermoset PIFs (i.e., polymethacrylimide foams, bismaleimide foams, and isocyanate-based PIFs) [22][23][24][25][26][27] have been developed to suit the demands from the sectors of microelectronics, aerospace and aeronautics, and marine use. Concurrently, several methods such as powder foaming, microsphere foaming, paste foaming, and isocyanate-based foaming methods have been proposed to prepare PIFs, [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] of which powder foaming method is widely adopted due to its feasibility to implement. [36,37] Aside from the aforementioned methods, microwave-assisted foaming method demonstrates advantages of easy implementation, energy-saving, fast heat transfer, and rapid foaming.…”