New Opportunities Offered by Hybrid Bilayer Membranes for Controllable Catalysis

Abstract

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions are central to many catalytic processes and energy applications. In this talk, I will describe an interdisciplinary approach to develop a bio-inspired electrocatalytic platform to modulate the proton and electron transfer rates independently for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). ORR fundamentally limits the performance of fuel cells and related energy conversion technologies. By using copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), active catalysts were clicked onto the electrochemical platform to form the key component of the hybrid bilayer membrane (HBM). By regulating the relative rates of proton and electron transfer individually, a higher selectivity for the desired 4e– process to generate water as the only product without compromising the activity of the catalyst. I envision this unique electrochemical platform offers new opportunities for collaborative research to discover catalysts for renewable energy technologies.