Stabilizer-free silver nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for electrochemical reduction of oxygen

In this work we demonstrated the potential of the He+5% H₂+1% N₂ plasma jet treatment for the synthesis of surfactant-free silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with narrow size distribution. The obtained colloidal solutions of electrostatically stabilized Ag NPs do not show any agglomeration for several months. Apart from an atomic thin oxide layer and the relatively weakly bound OH^- ions, the surface of Ag NPs can be considered as stabilizer-free. The surface charge (characterized by the zeta potential) of Ag NPs in solution was measured by electrophoretic light scattering technique. Plasmonic band position and width in the UV/VIS extinction spectra was utilized for the assessment of Ag NPs size distribution. Highly concentrated Ag NPs were uniformly deposited on the surface of the glassy carbon (GC) electrodes by vacuum-drying technique. The deposition process was monitored with a digital camera attached to a microscope. The assemblies of Ag NPs on the electrode surface were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The Ag NP/GC catalysts were electrochemically tested in alkaline solution using the rotating disk electrode method. The Ag NP/GC electrodes exhibited high electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1M KOH solution, indicating their potential applicability as cathode materials for alkaline fuel cells.