Embedded Ag nanoparticles on boron nitride by introduced carbon nanotubes to optimize ORR and OER performance

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-07, Vol.73, p.294-304
• Main Authors: Yu, Jiemei, Tang, Chengchun, Zhang, Weimin, Jiang, Zhankun, Qi, Lei, Mu, Yanlu, Huang, Taizhong, Zhu, Xueying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boron nitride; Carbon nanotube; Oxygen evolution; Oxygen reduction; Silver
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.039

Cost-effective, earth-abundant and high electroactive bi-functional electrocatalyst for ORR (oxygen reduction reaction) and OER (oxygen evolution reaction) is desirable for developing sustainable energy systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and metal-air batteries. In this work, Ag nanoparticles were first deposited on h-BN sheets via a simple complexation-reduction method, by using carbon nanotube as the conductive material. The structure, morphology and composition of obtained Ag-BN/C catalyst were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray), Raman, TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). These tests confirmed the presence of Ag on the h-BN support and tightly binding together by carbon nanotubes. Ag-BN/C shows improved ORR electrocatalytic activity which is comparable to that of Pt/C catalyst. The as-prepared catalyst also exhibits excellent OER catalytic activity. The long-time running and the tolerance to methanol studies show that the Ag-BN/C catalyst possesses high stability properties in alkaline medium. This investigation may provide technical and theoretical validation for application in fuel cells. [Display omitted] •Ag-BN/C hybrid was synthesized by a complexation-reduction method.•Ag-BN/C possesses high ORR and OER catalytic activity and stability.•Ag-BN/C exhibits excellent tolerance towards methanol.•Synergistic effect is considered as the important factor for catalytic activity.