Noncovalent immobilization of Co(ii)porphyrin through axial coordination as an enhanced electrocatalyst on carbon electrodes for oxygen reduction and evolution

Abstract

Catalysis of fuel-producing reactions can be transferred from homogeneous solution to a surface via attachment of the molecular catalyst. A pyrene–pyridine hybrid (Py–Py) was used as an axial ligand to bridge Co(II)tetraphenylporphyrin which was finally immobilized on carbon nanotubes via noncovalent interactions and further deposited on glassy carbon. This noncovalent immobilization of Co(II)porphyrin through axial coordination provides significantly enhanced electrochemically catalyzed oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution, illustrating a new insight into understanding surface catalysis.