Superaerophobic Polyethyleneimine Hydrogels for Improving Electrochemical Hydrogen Production by Promoting Bubble Detachment

Removal of gas bubbles from the electrode surface is practically important to maintain activity electrochemical evolution reactions. Conventionally, most studies have focused on development electrocatalysts and paid less attention bubble removal issues. Recently, it has been reported that attached can be readily eliminated by imparting extremely gas-repellent properties (so-called superaerophobicity) electrodes via controlling their nano/microstructure. However, this approach material-specific requires harsh expensive synthetic conditions, causing difficulties in scaling up large-area for commercialization. To address these issues, a universal method impart superaerophobicity various through simple coating with porous polymeric hydrogels without affecting underlying target substrates reported. The modification superaerophobic hydrogel substantially enhances efficiency hydrogen reaction because facilitate as-generated thereby minimize ohmic concentration overpotentials. Particularly, modified outperform those at high current densities where more are generated adhered to. results provide insights into design devices based gas-involving