Short communication: Molecular architecture based on palladium-salen complex/graphene for low potential water oxidation

Abstract We have developed electrocatalytic platforms based on palladium metallopolymer-graphene for the water splitting reaction. The platforms presented a low onset potential for the water oxidation reaction. By cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the interfacial phenomena were investigated, allowing us to obtain important results that helped to determine kinetic and mechanistic information. The studies revealed that the introduction of graphene in the metallopolymer matrix increased the turnover frequency (TOF) value. Analysis of the Tafel plots obtained from the EIS data also revealed a change in the reaction mechanism after the introduction of graphene. The new platform demonstrated its applicability in the water splitting reaction for use in fuel cells.