In situ NMR spectroelectrochemistry is extremely powerful in studying redox reactions in real time and identifying unstable reaction intermediates. In this paper, in situ polymerization synthesis of ultrathin graphdiyne (GDY) nanosheets was realized on the surface of copper nanoflower/copper foam (nano-Cu/Cuf)-based electrode with hexakisbenzene monomers and pyridine. Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were further deposited onto the GDY nanosheets by the constant potential method. By using this GDY composite as electrode material, a new NMR-electrochemical cell was designed for in situ NMR spectroelectrochemistry measurement. The three-electrode electrochemical system consists of a Pd/GDY/nano-Cu/Cuf electrode as the working electrode, a platinum wire as the counter electrode, and a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) wire as a quasi-reference electrode, which can be dipped into a specially constructed sample tube and adapted for convenient operation in any commercial high-field, variable-temperature FT NMR spectrometer. The application of this NMR-electrochemical cell is illustrated by monitoring the progressive oxidation of hydroquinone to benzoquinone by controlled-potential electrolysis in aqueous solution.
Keywords: NMR; graphdiyne; hydroquinone; in situ; spectroelectrochemistry.