Rational Design of\nNovel Efficient Palladium Electrode\nEmbellished 3D Hierarchical Graphene/Polyimide Foam for Hydrogen Peroxide\nElectroreduction

Abstract

The electrocatalytic applications of traditional polyimide\nfilm\nand carbon nanomaterials are hindered due to a shortage of three-dimensional\nhierarchical conductivity and porous structure. Herein, a novel polyimide-based\nelectrode based on a highly efficient palladium nanocatalyst embellished\nthree-dimensional reduced graphene oxide/polyimide foam (Pd/3D RGO@PI\nfoam, signed PRP) toward H₂O₂ electroreduction\nwas designed and prepared through thermal foaming procedure, followed\nby facile dip-drying method and electrodeposition. As expected, such\na binder-free, 3D hierarchical structure PRP electrode presented high\ncatalytic property, good stability, as well as low activation energy\ntoward H₂O₂ electroreduction during the electrochemical\nmeasurement period. The PRP electrode showed a reduction current density\nof 810 mA·cm^–2 at −0.2 V (vs Ag/AgCl)\nin 2.0 mol·L^–1 H₂SO₄ and\n2.0 mol·L^–1 H₂O₂. Moreover,\nthe PRP electrode also illustrated good reproducibility and repeatability.\nReproducibility presented almost 95.8% of the initial current density\nafter 1000 cycles test. Also, the activation energy of H₂O₂ electroreduction on 3D PRP electrode was 21.624 kJ·mol^–1. Benefiting from the 3D hierarchical structure and\nefficient catalyst, the PRP electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic\nperformance and was considered to be a potential candidate material\nfor fuel cells.