Microwave-assisted preparation of Ag/Ag2S carbon hybrid structures from pig bristles as efficient HER catalysts. Issue 43 (25th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cova, Camilla Maria; Zuliani, Alessio; Puente Santiago, Alain R.; Caballero, Alvaro; Muñoz-Batista, Mario J.; Luque, Rafael
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 43(2018)
• Page Start: 21516
• Page End: 21523
• Publication Date: 2018-10-25
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ta06417b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A microwave-assisted method for the production of HER catalyst Ag/Ag2 S carbon hybrids through the valorisation of pig bristles is described. Abstract : Ag/Ag2 S hybrid structures have recently attracted significant interest due to their high chemical and thermal stability, in addition to their unique optical and electrical properties. However, their standard synthetic protocols have important drawbacks including long term and harsh reaction conditions and the utilization of highly toxic sulfur precursors. Herein, an innovative, simple one-pot green approach for the synthesis of the Ag/Ag2 S carbon hybrid structures is reported. The procedure involves a one-step microwave-assisted method using ethylene glycol as a solvent and reducing agent, pig bristles as a sulphur and carbon source and silver nitrate as a metal precursor. Different amounts of silver nitrate were employed in order to investigate the synthetic mechanism for the formation of zerovalent silver over silver sulphide nanoparticles, producing three different samples. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, N2 physisorption and XPS spectroscopy. Aiming to prove the efficiency of the as-synthesized compounds, their electrocatalytic activities were explored in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using linear sweep voltammetry.