Synthetic tethered silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for alkaline oxygen reduction catalysis

Abstract

There is currently an enormous drive to move away from the use of Pt group metals in catalysis, particularly for fuel cells, because of their increasing rarity and cost. Simultaneously, there have been advances in the application of graphene supported nanoparticular catalysts. However, these Pt-free, graphene supported catalysts can be complex to produce, show poor catalytic activity and degrade quickly due to particle agglomeration or isolation. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (NPs) tethered to a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) template via organic linkages. This is one of the few silver precursor formations that have been combined with graphene oxide (GO) to simultaneously establish linkage binding sites, reduce GO and yield tethered nanoparticles. These materials are shown to efficiently catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline environments, with aminoethanol linkages to 21.55 ± 2.88 nm Ag particles exhibiting the highest catalytic activity via the four-electron pathway. This method, therefore, offers a straightforward route to produce effective catalysts from inexpensive precursors, which could be developed further for significant industrial application. Graphical abstract

Room Temperature Electronic Functionalization of Thermally Sensitive Substrates by Inkjet Printing of a Reactive Silver‐Based MOD Ink

“…Tinker et al synthesized and compared EA and AP-based precursors in their study. [27] Both precursors could decompose into elemental Ag with similar particle size, but their Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activities showed that the onset potential of the AP precursor was higher than that of the EA precursor. It was reported that the relative pKa values of the respective alkanolamine might positively affect their binding abilities and influence the variation of onset potential from linker to linker.…”

Deposition of metallic silver from versatile amidinate precursors for use in functional materials

“…Both these applications, however, involve the synthesis of Ag NPs with a narrow size distribution which is challenging. 6,7 NP aggregation is a constant hindrance in both these applications which affects the functionality of the final device, while also reducing the shelf life of the inks/complexes. The deposition of NP inks for use in printed electronics also faces issues with printer clogging, high temperature sintering and the need for additives, all of which are detrimental to the final device.…”