Silver–carbon electrocatalyst for air cathodes in alkaline fuel cells

A method for producing electrocatalysts containing silver supported on different carbons was developed. The catalysts were investigated in air (oxygen) diffusion electrodes in alkaline electrolyte (7 M KOH). Depending on the carbon support used, up to a threefold improvement in electrode performance was achieved compared with the activity of the uncatalysed carbon in this media. At ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, a current density of 150 mA/cm−2 was obtained at electrode potential 1.2 V vs zinc (0.75 vs HE). A correlation between electro catalytic activity and wetted surface area of the electrocatalysts was found.