Chemical synthesis of metallic silver-based nanopowder catalysts on the conductive carbon black particles as the active materials applied in a Zn-Ag/Zn-air hybrid energy storage system

Background: Large-scale application of renewable energy with energy storage system is important for the decrease in the influence on the environmental problem without any decrease in industrial energy activity. To develop a energy storage system is thus a promising way for further industrial applications. Methods: Metallic based silver catalysts were grown onto the carbon powders in the ethanol bath at the reaction temperature of 70 °C in10 min using a simple chemical synthesis method. Then Ag/carbon powders as the active materials on the nickel (Ni)-foam were applied in the zinc-based energy storage system. Significant findings: X-ray diffraction patterns of samples showed that the catalyst was the metallic silver with the prefer orientation of (1 1 1) crystal plane and the linear sweep voltammograms for samples in 6 M KOH electrolyte showed that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and Ag⁺↔Ag_(s) reaction couples were taking place at sample surface. Our cell with the structure of Zn foil/6 M KOH/Ag@C (weight ratio of 3:1) on the Ni foam showed the charge and discharge voltage of 2.03 and 1.07 V at the charge/discharge current density of 10 mA/cm², respectively and could be applied in the Zn-based energy storage system.