Polyethylenimine-Ethylenediamine-Induced Pd Metallene toward Alkaline Oxygen Reduction

Designing two-dimensional (2D) materials functionalizedwith organicmolecules is an effective tactic to enhance catalytic performancesfor the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we synthesize Pdmetallene with in situ modification of polyethylenimine-ethylenediamine(Pd@PEI-EDA metallene), in which PEI-EDA serves as both the structure-directingagent and modifier. Pd@PEI-EDA metallene has ample active sites andtuneable electronic structures due to ultrathin nanosheets with abundantwrinkles and interfacial structure. In contrast with commercial Pd/Cand Pt/C, Pd@PEI-EDA metallene displays preferable catalytic ORR performanceunder alkaline conditions. This work offers an in situ interface engineeringtactic for the preparation of 2D polymer-metal electrocatalysts toboost the ORR performance. Wesynthesize Pd metallene with in situ modification ofpolyethylenimine-ethylenediamine that serves as both the structure-directingagent and modifier, exhibiting an enhanced ORR performance.

Automated summary

Designing 2D materials functionalized with organic molecules can enhance catalytic performances for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, Pd metallene was synthesized with in situ modification of polyethylenimine-ethylenediamine (Pd@PEI-EDA metallene), which serves as both the structure-directing agent and modifier. Compared to commercial Pd/C and Pt/C, Pd@PEI-EDA metallene exhibits superior catalytic ORR performance under alkaline conditions. This work provides an in situ interface engineering tactic for the preparation of 2D polymer-metal electrocatalysts to boost the ORR performance.