Three-dimensional carbon-conductive polymer–silver composite air electrodes for non-aqueous metal air batteries

A novel three-component composite electrode consisting of a carbon current collector with conductive polymer and silver coating is described here. The composite electrode fabrication strategy is described and the composite electrode is evaluated as a cathode for oxygen reduction in non-aqueous media. This approach is utilized for the first time to prepare three-dimensionally structured carbon–conductive polymer–silver composites, yielding composite electrodes with ∼4× the oxygen reduction capacity of their planar counterparts. Improvement of cathode oxygen reduction activity will increase current capability and power output of metal air batteries, facilitating future development of small, lightweight, and long-life power sources.