Co@Ag–AgCl Core–Shell-Structured Needle-like Nanowire Catalysts for ORR in AEMFCs

To enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance of silver-based catalysts in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), a novel Co@Ag–AgCl core–shell-structured needle-like nanowire catalyst was synthesized via a polyol-solvothermal method using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) as a surfactant. The results showed that when the CTAC concentration was 5 times the critical micelle concentration, the needle-like nanowires had the best dispersibility, and the synergistic interaction between the Ag–AgCl composite shell and cobalt core significantly enhanced the catalytic performance. The Co@Ag–AgCl3/C catalyst demonstrated exceptional ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.753 V, a limiting current density of 4.580 mA cm–2, and an electron transfer number close to 4 (3.88). Remarkably, during 10,000 cycles of durability testing (0.3–1.0 V vs RHE), the half-wave potential of the catalyst only shifted negatively by 17 mV, demonstrating better stability than commercial Pt/C (with a negative shift of 18 mV). This work provides critical insights for developing cost-effective non-platinum catalysts in AEMFCs.