The fuel cell is a continuously operating, low environmental impact, highly energy-efficient electrochemical device that has been cited as a clean energy source to replace fossil fuels. However, noble metals, such as platinum, are used as electrocatalysts to improve reaction kinetics, which raises the cost of this renewable energy source. This work aimed to evaluate a graphite paste electrode, modified with a copper(II) coordination compound containing N,O-donor groups, as an electrocatalyst in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and its catalase-like activity. Through electrochemical analyses, such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, the modified electrode activity was investigated at different pH values and scan rates. Catalase activity was also investigated at different pH values in order to establish which would be the most active. The modified electrode proved to be a promising electrocatalyst in ORR in alkaline medium, and the copper(II) complex actively degraded hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions, which can help to increase the lifetime of the fuel cell device.

Graphical Abstract

中文翻译：

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铜（II）Schiff碱配合物对氧还原反应具有电催化活性及其过氧化氢酶活性

燃料电池是一种连续运行，对环境影响小，高能效的电化学装置，已被视为替代化石燃料的清洁能源。然而，诸如铂的贵金属被用作电催化剂以改善反应动力学，这增加了这种可再生能源的成本。这项工作旨在评估用含N，O供体基团的铜（II）配位化合物修饰的石墨糊电极，作为氧还原反应（ORR）中的电催化剂及其过氧化氢酶样活性。通过电化学分析，例如循环伏安法和计时电流法，在不同的pH值和扫描速率下研究了修饰的电极活性。还确定了在不同的pH值下过氧化氢酶的活性，以确定哪种活性最高。

图形概要