Ag-Embedded Laser-Induced Graphene as a Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
- 1Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhorskaya Str. 13 Bd. 2, 125412 Moscow, Russia
- 2N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Kosygina Str. 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- 3Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Kulakova Str. 20, 123592 Moscow, Russia
Abstract
Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a critical process in fuel cells, yet its slow kinetics necessitates efficient and cost-effective catalysts. Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) offer a promising platform for ORR electrocatalysis, as the alkaline environment enables the use of non-precious metals and carbonaceous materials. Herein, we utilize a simple, solid-state, reagent-free, and one-step synthesis of silver nanoparticle-decorated laser-induced graphene (Ag@LIG) via direct CO2 laser writing on a polyimide film coated with an edible silver leaf. The laser treatment simultaneously converts the polymer into a porous three-dimensional graphene network and incorporates metallic silver nanoparticles (∼5–50 nm) into the carbon matrix. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the metallic nature of the incorporated silver and reveals a higher nitrogen content in Ag@LIG than in pristine LIG, with pyrrolic nitrogen as the dominant configuration. Electrochemical characterization demonstrates that Ag@LIG exhibits enhanced ORR activity compared to pristine LIG, with a ∼30 mV positive shift in onset potential and a predominantly four-electron pathway over the entire potential range, with low peroxide formation. This work highlights the potential of the solid-state laser approach for producing Ag-carbon hybrid electrocatalysts with promising ORR performance for alkaline fuel cells.
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BibTeX
@article{semenova2026agembedded,
title = {{Ag-Embedded Laser-Induced Graphene as a Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media}},
author = {Valentina Semenova and Sergey Pavlov and Alina Inozemtseva and Sergey Kislenko},
journal = {Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nano16191246},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666643},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ag-Embedded Laser-Induced Graphene as a Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
AU - Valentina Semenova
AU - Sergey Pavlov
AU - Alina Inozemtseva
AU - Sergey Kislenko
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/nano16191246
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666643
AB - Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a critical process in fuel cells, yet its slow kinetics necessitates efficient and cost-effective catalysts. Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) offer a promising platform for ORR electrocatalysis, as the alkaline environment enables the use of non-precious metals and carbonaceous materials. Herein, we utilize a simple, solid-state, reagent-free, and one-step synthesis of silver nanoparticle-decorated laser-induced graphene (Ag@LIG) via direct CO2 laser writing on a polyimide film coated with an edible silver leaf. The laser treatment simultaneously converts the polymer into a porous three-dimensional graphene network and incorporates metallic silver nanoparticles (∼5–50 nm) into the carbon matrix. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the metallic nature of the incorporated silver and reveals a higher nitrogen content in Ag@LIG than in pristine LIG, with pyrrolic nitrogen as the dominant configuration. Electrochemical characterization demonstrates that Ag@LIG exhibits enhanced ORR activity compared to pristine LIG, with a ∼30 mV positive shift in onset potential and a predominantly four-electron pathway over the entire potential range, with low peroxide formation. This work highlights the potential of the solid-state laser approach for producing Ag-carbon hybrid electrocatalysts with promising ORR performance for alkaline fuel cells.
SN - 2079-4991
ER -