Metal nanocatalysts, as the anodic materials, have become increasingly important in fuel cells due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Here we report the ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) supported silver nanocatalysts have been prepared through the wet chemical reduction by using the reduction of formaldehyde. The electrochemical properties of the Ag/CMK-3 nanocatalysts for formaldehyde oxidation are studied by cyclic voltammograms (CV) and chronoamperometric curves (i-t) in alkaline aqueous solutions. The results show that the peak current density (from CV) of the Ag/CMK-3 electrode is 112 mA cm-2, above 2 times higher than that of Ag/XC-72 at the same Ag loading (14.15 μg cm-2). Furthermore, the i-t curves demonstrate that the Ag/CMK-3 nanocatalysts are efficient and stable electrocatalysts for anodic oxidation of formaldehyde in alkaline solutions. Our results indicate that the application potential of Ag/CMK-3 nanocatalysts with the improved electrocatalytic activity has far reaching effects on fuel cells and sensors.
Pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen-rich ordered mesoporous carbon for efficient oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells