Nanocomposite anode materials for water oxidation
have been readily synthesized by electrodeposition of iridium oxide
nanoparticles into poly(pyrrole-alkylammonium) films, previously
deposited onto carbon electrodes by oxidative electropolymerization of a pyrrole-alkylammonium monomer. The nanocomposite
films were characterized by electrochemistry, transmission electron
microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. They showed an efficient
electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction. Data
from Tafel plots have demonstrated that the catalytic activity of the
iridium oxide nanoparticles is maintained following their inclusion
in the polymer matrix. Bulk electrolysis of water at carbon foam
modified electrodes have shown that the iridium oxide?polymer
composite presents a higher catalytic activity and a better operational stability than regular oxide films