Fluoropolymer-Stabilized Chromophore-Catalyst Assemblies in Aqueous Buffer Solutions for Water-Oxidation Catalysis

Abstract

Here, the application of the fluorinated polymer [Dupont AF, a copolymer of 4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene] is described in stabilizing phosphonate-derivatized molecular assemblies on oxide electrodes. In the procedure, the polymer was dip-coated onto the surfaces of oxide electrodes with pre-bound, phosphonate-derivatized chromophores and assemblies, including assemblies for water oxidation. The results of the experiments showed a high degree of stabilization by the added polymer and a demonstration of its use in stabilizing surface-bound assemblies for water-oxidation catalysis.

Keywords: chromophores; electrochemistry; fluorinated polymers; phosphonic acid; water oxidation.