Silver-Carbon Nanocapsule Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

The types of carbonaceous material and electrocatalyst are the critical components in fabrication of gas diffusion electrodes for fuel cells and metal-air batteries. In this study, carbon nanocapsule and Ag-carbon nanocapsule powders were synthesized and characterized for their electrochemical performances as oxygen reduction electrocatalyst in alkaline electrolyte using commercial noncatalyzed gas diffusion electrode as substrate. The polarization response of the carbon nanocapsule demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic capability over those of XC-72R and vapor growth carbon fiber, delivering at . In addition, Ag-carbon nanocapsule powders exhibited a value of at , surpassing commercially available Mn-catalyzed, and MnCo-catalyzed gas diffusion electrodes. Galvanostatic discharge of these Ag-carbon nanocapsule powders from confirmed their stability and sustainability. This report identified a class of carbon material that not only exhibits electrocatalytic capability itself but also provides opportunity as substrate for known electrocatalysts.