Phosphonic acids can be used to modify bulk copper surfaces through reaction with the native oxide layer, creating comprehensive coverage of the electrode surface by the phosphonate compound. Through selection of the terminal functional group of the phosphonic acid, various synthetic pathways are available to derivatize the copper electrode with a desired electrocatalyst. Synthetic routes to functionalized copper electrodes will be presented. The surface modifications will be confirmed by reflectance infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Quantitative determination of copper surface coverage by the phosphonate monolayer and the electrocatalyst will be conducted through quartz crystal microgravimetry. The effect of alkyl chain length and ligand binding nature will be investigated.

Characterization and quantitative determination of surface loading of phosphonate monolayers on copper for electrocatalytic applications

244th National Meeting (2012)

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