The purpose of this
study is to propose a new strategy based on
electrodeposition to create binder-free composites of metallic silver
supported on MnO
2
. The process involves
in situ
reduction of the Ag
+
ions incorporated in the interlayer
spaces of layered MnO
2
in an alkaline electrolyte without
Ag
+
ions. The reduction process of the incorporated Ag
+
was monitored
in situ
based on the characteristic
surface plasmon resonance in the visible region, and the resulting
metallic Ag was identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Because
the formation of metallic Ag is only possible
via
electron injection into the Ag
+
ions between MnO
2
layers, the growth of Ag metals was inevitably limited, although
the reduced Ag did not remain immobilized in the interlayers of MnO
2
. The thus-formed Ag in the MnO
2
composite functioned
as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in a gas diffusion
electrode system, showing a much better mass activity compared to
Ag particles electrodeposited from an aqueous solution containing
AgNO
3
.
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