Facile synthesis of a Ag nanoparticle/polyoxometalate/carbon nanotube tri-component hybrid and its activity in the electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction

The facile, one-pot synthesis of Ag nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported. Polyoxometalates (POMs) were used to serve as both reducing and bridging molecules, which avoids the step of introducing other organic toxic molecules. Characterization using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, etc. was performed and the structure of the prepared nanohybrid of Ag NPs@POM-CNTs was verified. The nanohybrid showed a high electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction because of the synergistic effect of Ag NPs and CNTs. The POM is removable in the nanohybrid without affecting the catalytic activities.