High efficient electrocatalytic performance of MF₂ (M = Ca, Pb) loaded with silver

Abstract Two MF 2 (M = Ca, Pb) fluorides were fabricated via a facile and easily controlled precipitation procedure first then the crystallization treatment under 120 °C for 15 h via a hydrothermal method. Ag/MF 2 (M = Ca, Pb) composites with different Ag contents were prepared using the same synthetic method with the assistance of the selected reductant. The as‐synthesized samples were characterized using XRD and SEM, respectively. The electrocatalytic performances of the as‐prepared samples modified on the glassy carbon electrode for the reduction or oxidation of p ‐nitrophenol, 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol, citric acid, catechol and sodium nitrite were examined, respectively. The results showed that doping of Ag could improve the electrocatalytic activity of MF 2 (M = Ca, Pb). Under the experimental conditions, the electrocatalytic performances of Ag/CaF 2 increased first then decreased slightly with increasing Ag content in the composites, however, the electrocatalytic performances of Ag/PbF 2 increased with adding Ag content in the composites. The reaction of p ‐nitrophenol, 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol, citric acid, catechol and nitrite anions on the modified glassy carbon electrodes was investigated, and might be due to a electrocatalysis reaction controlled by a diffusion procedure. The study on synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of the Ag/MF 2 (M = Ca, Pb) composite fluorides provide a basis for the possible application in electrocatalysis field.