Microwave-assisted synthesis of iridium oxide and palladium nanoparticles supported on a nitrogen-rich covalent triazine framework as superior electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reaction

Iridium oxide (IrO(x)-NP) and palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NP) were supported on a 2,6-dicyanopyridine-based covalent-triazine framework (DCP-CTF) by energy-saving and sustainable microwave-assisted thermal decomposition reactions in propylene carbonate and in the ionic liquid [BMIm][NTf(2)]. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm well-distributed NPs with sizes from 2 to 13 nm stabilized on the CTF particles. Metal contents between 10 and 41 wt% were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Nitrogen sorption measurements of the metal-loaded CTFs revealed Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas between 904 and 1353 m(2) g(−1). The composites show superior performance toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with low overpotentials from 47 to 325 mV and toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with high half-wave potentials between 810 and 872 mV. IrO(x) samples in particular show high performances toward HER while the Pd samples show better performance toward ORR. In both reactions, electrocatalysts can compete with the high performance of Pt/C. Exemplary cyclic voltammetry durability tests with 1000 cycles and subsequent TEM analyses show good long-term stability of the materials. The results demonstrate the promising synergistic effects of NP-decorated CTF materials, resulting in a high electrocatalytic activity and stability.