Chemical Tuning of Metal Nanocatalysts Interface for ORR Electrocatalysis

A series of surface-functionalized gold nanocatalysts are synthesized. Through diazonium chemistry, calix[4]arene molecules grafted at the surface. Sharing same anchoring function and a common backbone, ligands possess distinct terminal chemical functions where length, hydrophobic nature, oxygen affinity varied. Thanks to versatility platform, this paper only focuses on molecular tuning solid/liquid interface through change tail groups while electronic effects that regulated by will be similar for all catalysts. Electrocatalytic tests demonstrate influence tails group reduction reaction performances, including efficiency, selectivity, durability. Beyond pure geometric steric effect, it is shown properties can effectively tune interactions between metallic catalyst electrolyte reactants.