FACILE SYNTHESIS OF MICROPOROUS SILVER FILMS AS EFFICIENT ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR ETHANOL OXIDATION IN DIRECT ETHANOL FUEL CELL

Abstract

In this study, cost-effective silver-based electrodes with a microporous structure were developed and evaluated as anode catalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in an alkaline electrolyte, targeting direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) applications. The silver catalyst was prepared as a thin microporous layer with an average pore size of 1.5–5μ[Formula: see text]m using a simple chemical reduction method. Flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates, derived from mineral water bottles, were utilized as supports for the silver films, enabling a lightweight and flexible design. Deposition conditions, including solution composition, pH, and deposition duration, were optimized to produce highly active catalysts with improved tolerance to CO poisoning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the deposition duration significantly influences the size and density of micropores, which in turn enhances catalytic activity. Under optimized conditions, the electrocatalytic performance of the silver-based catalyst, assessed in a single alkaline-acid direct ethanol fuel cell (AA-DEFC) with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant, achieved a maximum power density of 35.57[Formula: see text]mW/cm 2 at 70°C. This remarkable performance, which compares favorably with other catalysts reported in recent literature, is attributed to the microporous structure of the silver film.