Synthesis Of Carbon Nanotubes/Ag Nanoparticles By Chemistry Reduction Method And Electrochemistry Catalytic Mechenism Research In Oxygen Reduction

In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as catalysts support. Glucose, EG and DMSO were used to synthesize CNTs/Ag catalysts in different ways, the influence factors of the diameter of silver nanopartices and the dispersion of silver nanoparticles on the CNTs surface were studied also.After the activation of CNTs surface, the organic functional groups grow on the surface. Through self-assemble way the silver nanoparticles loaded on the CNTs surface, at the end attain the CNTs/Ag composite catalysts. The results show that silver nanoparticles were bigger with poor dispersity using glucose and EG as the reductant, on the other hand, silver nanoparticles were smaller (about 5 nm) with perfect dispersity using DMSO as the reductant by different synthesis process. The advantages of DMSO method: controlling the silver nanoparticles' diameter about 5 nm by a sole synthesis particles colloid process and with good dispersity on the surface and strong "bond" between the two; easily manual and batch production.We carry out the oxygen reduction test in alkali solution using the composite catalysts with small particle size and perfect dispersity. The results show, CNTs/Ag composite catalysts have high catalytic activity and selectivity with oxygen reduction in alkali entironment, the reaction goes through direct "four electron process".