Enhanced electrocatalytic activity on TEMPO mixed film grafted by diazonium reduction

Stable mixed organic films were formed on glassy carbon electrode surface via a two-step functionalization, using the electroreduction of a diazonium cation. First, the grafting of 4-azidobenzenediazonium was performed in the presence of a redox inhibitor, leading to the formation of an azido monolayer. Then, this monolayer was used as a platform able to react with a mixture of two acetylene molecules. TEMPO-based surfaces, with different controlled surface coverages, were obtained by the described method. TEMPO electrocatalytic properties were exploited and the interfacial reactivity of the functional groups was put into perspective with the mixed layer structure. In this context, the impact of the azido platform thickness was considered. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.