ELECTROCATALYTIC OXYGEN REDUCTION PERFORMANCE OF SILVER NANOPARTICLE DECORATED ELECTROCHEMICALLY EXFOLIATED GRAPHENE (original) (raw)

We have developed a potentiostatic double-pulse technique for silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) deposition on graphene (GRn) with superior electronic and ionic conductivity. This approach yielded to a 2D electrocatalysts with a homogenous Ag NP spatial distribution with remarkable performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). GRn sheets were reproducibly prepared by the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite (GRp) at high yield and purity with a low degree of oxidation. Polystyrene sulfonate added during exfoliation enhanced the stability of the GRn solution by preventing the re-stacking of the graphene sheets and increased its ionic conductivity. The potentiostatic double-pulse technique is generally used to electro-depose Pt nanoparticles and remains challenging for silver metal that exhibits nucleation and growth potentials relatively close to each other. We judiciously exploited this narrow margin of potential Corresponding Author