Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction on microwave assisted sol–gel-derived carbon ceramic electrodes modified with metalophthalocyanines

The electro-catalytic proton reduction by different metalophthalocyanines (MPc) embedded in carbon ceramic electrode is studied. Applying microwave irradiation in the synthesis of the carbon ceramic is significantly reduced its production time. The electrodes are resistive to passivation and they can be renewed easily. The catalytic efficiency of the complexes is in the order of, FePc > CoPc > PdPc > CuPc. Electrocatalytic activities change irregularly with the pH of the solution. In the neutral media the electrodes have minimum activity while their electrocatalytic activity is high in the acidic and basic media. The most successful activity is observed at pH = 8.0.