Electrodes for Nonaqueous Oxygen Reduction Based upon Conductive Polymer-Silver Composites

Progress toward the development of current collector-conductive polymer-silver (cc-cp-Ag) composite cathodes for nonaqueous metal air batteries is presented here, where the contribution of each component toward the overall oxygen reduction activity of the multifunctional cc-cp-Ag composite is studied. First, the effect of the chemical identity of the current collector (carbon versus gold) on the electrochemical reduction of oxygen is examined, accompanied by a conductive polymer deposition study. These two studies together demonstrate that a conductive polymer deposit can eliminate any competitive electrochemistry due to the current collector. Second, the role of the conductive polymer in improving physical strength of the composite electrode is evaluated using an electrode durability test. Third, a systematic study of the Ag loading effect is undertaken to determine the minimum silver loading required for significant enhancement in oxygen reduction activity.