Silver nanowire catalysts for alkaline fuel cells

A technique for synthesizing a composite electrode structure comprised of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for use as cathode catalysts in alkaline fuel cells was developed. The Ag nanowires were produced using electroless template-based deposition and sprayed as an electrocatalytically active surface coating on CNT matrices. Four different types of electrodes were prepared; blank matrices of CNTs and PTFE, CNTs and PTFE matrices sprayed with a layer of CNTs, CNTs and PTFE matrices sprayed with a layer of CNTs and 5 wt% Ag nanowires, and CNTs and PTFE matrices sprayed with a layer of CNTs and 9 wt% Ag nanowires. The catalytic performance with respect to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was determined utilizing potential step voltammetry. The electrochemical test results showed that the electrode activity increased with increasing Ag concentration when mixed with CNTs.