Abstract:
The composite of polyoxometalate [WZn3(H2O)2-
(ZnW9O34)2]
12− (ZnPOM) with polyvinylidene-butyl-imidazolium cation
(PVIM) and oxidized carbon nanotubes (OCNT) as non-noble metal
bifunctional catalyst has been studied for oxygen-depolarized cathode (ODC)
and Cl2 evolution in HCl electrolysis for the first time. The cyclic
voltammetry and rotating disk electrode measurement analysis reveals
superior activity of the composite as bifunctional catalyst for ODC and Cl2
evolution. Chronoamperometric experiments show high long-term stability,
comparable to the state-of-art catalyst, even under multiple shutdown to open
circuit potential. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies after electrolysis
(48 h) confirms no degradation of the composite and, hence, appears to be
stable. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) measurements indicate
that, even after 72 h of electrolysis, the composite retains high activity, similar
to fresh composite
