Abstract
Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a crucial cathodic reaction for fuel cells. Due to its sluggish kinetics, various ORR electrocatalysts have been designed and extensively investigated. Traditionally, Pt-based materials serve as efficient ORR catalysts. However, Pt’s low abundance, high cost and poor durability have compelled people to explore other materials. For example, silver (Ag) is comparatively well-stocked and low-cost, which has drawn great attention. Although Ag shows exceptional anti-poisoning property, it is not good as Pt. Recently, enhanced electrochemical behavior of plasmonic nanostructures under illumination has been examined through both theoretical modeling and experimental investigations. As a green and sustainable energy source, solar energy can be efficiently introduced into fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles have strong spectral absorption in the ultraviolet and visible light bands due to unique localized surface plasmon resonance effects. Meanwhile, nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) incorporates nitrogen (N) atoms into graphene skeleton through a hydrothermal process, thereby providing active ORR sites. Also, the vacancies and defects generated by the N-doping allow silver nanoparticles to be better dispersed on the graphene as well as maintain silver nanoparticles during the reaction.Herein, plasmonic Ag nanoparticles decorated N-doped graphene (Ag/NG) were synthesized and utilized as ORR catalysts. The ORR performance of Ag/NG greatly exceeded that of pure Ag nanoparticles and NG. For instance, the half-wave potential was 0.86 V, exceeding that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt. %). Under the AM1.5G simulated sunlight, Ag/NG demonstrated photo-enhanced electrocatalytic performance with right shifting of onset potential and enhanced current density. Therefore, the Ag/NG composite provides a potential strategy for the development of solar-enhanced electrocatalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
Published Version
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