A Highly Active and Alcohol-Tolerant Cathode Electrocatalyst Containing Ag Nanoparticles Supported on Graphene

作者：Jiang Rongzhong^*; Moton Elizabeth; McClure Joshua P; Bowers Zachary

来源：Electrochimica Acta, 2014, 127: 146-152.

DOI：10.1016/j.electacta.2014.01.134

• Graphene nano platelets
• Silver nanoparticles
• ORR
• Alkaline fuel cell
• Alcohol tolerant catalysts

A highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst was synthesized by supporting Ag nano-particles on graphene nano platelets (Ag/GNP) via ultrasound treatment. The Ag/GNP catalyzes the O-2 molecule through a 4-electron reduction to water in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. The half-wave potential for the ORR on Ag/GNP is similar to a Pt black coated electrode (i.e -0.27V at Ag/GNP, and -0.18V at 40% Pt/C vs.SCE). The kinetic rate for the ORR on Ag/GNP is 3.16 x 10(-2) cm.s(-1) at -0.4V vs. SCE. The effect of alcohols and other impurities on the ORR catalytic activity for Ag/GNP was examined and found to be highly tolerant to methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol. The Ag/GNP catalyst is also tolerant to tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxides; i.e. functional groups related to the chemical structure of common alkaline electrolyte membranes. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

• 出版日期2014-5-1