Conducting CoMn2O4 - PEDOT nanocomposites as catalyst in oxygen reduction reaction

The present study is on development of easy, facile and rapid synthetic methodologies for producing highly active low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) which are the key barriers in various electrochemical devices such as metal-air batteries, fuel cells and water splitting reaction. The synthesized PEDOT-CoMn2O4 nanocomposites from α-MnO2 nanorod favour 4e oxygen reduction process of oxygen to water and exhibit high ORR activities in the stable conducting platform of the polymer. The catalytic effect is studied by Linear Sweep Voltammetry using Rotating Disk Electrode at varying rotation speed (0 to 3000 rpm). Although the α-MnO2 nanorod does not show any OER/ORR activity, the spinel makes the difference and the nanocomposites of PEDOT - CoMn2O4 exhibit unexpected, surprisingly high ORR activities in their conducting and stable form. The enhanced catalytic activity arises from synergetic chemical coupling effects between PEDOT and CoMn2O4.