Nil-Brauer categorifies the split $\imath$-quantum group of rank one

Abstract: We prove that the Grothendieck ring of the monoidal category of finitely generated graded projective modules for the nil-Brauer category is isomorphic to an integral form of the split $\imath$-quantum group of rank one. Under this isomorphism, the indecomposable graded projective modules correspond to the $\imath$-canonical basis. We also introduce a new PBW basis for the $\imath$-quantum group and show that it is categorified by standard modules for the nil-Brauer category. Finally, we derive character formulae for irreducible graded modules and deduce various branching rules.