# Electrografting of Phenyl Phosphate Layers onto Glassy Carbon for Tuning Catalytic Activity toward the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

## TL;DR

This paper shows how modifying a carbon electrode with phenyl phosphate layers improves the efficiency and stability of hydrogen production.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel method of using ionic phenyl phosphate layers to enhance electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution.

## Key findings

- Modified electrodes showed lower overpotential for hydrogen evolution.
- Higher stability was observed in catalysts deposited on the ionic layer.
- Phenyl phosphate moieties synergistically improve electrocatalytic performance.

## Abstract

In this study, we explored the surface modification of a glassy carbon electrode through the electrografting of 4-Aminophenyl phosphate, which features heteroatoms and ionic properties. The electrochemical grafting process involves reducing in situ-generated diazonium derivatives. The primary objective of this research was to immobilize organic layers and assess their electrochemical and surface properties. Subsequently, the generated surface serves as a template for the electrochemical growth of Pd and Co nanoparticles on functionalized electrodes. The electrocatalytic performances of these hybrid electrodes in driving the hydrogen evolution reaction were investigated. The obtained results indicate an enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrodes, where lower overpotential and higher stability were observed when the catalyst was electrodeposited onto the attached ionic layer. These findings highlight the synergistic effect between the attached phenyl phosphate moieties and electrocatalysts.