Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as catalyst support for depositing platinum nanoparticles by a wet chemistry route. MWCNTs were initially surface modified by citric acid to introduce functional groups which act as anchors for metallic clusters. A two-phase (water-toluene) method was used to transfer PtCl62- from aqueous to organic phase and the subsequent sodium formate solution reduction step yielded Pt nanoparticles on MWCNTs. High-resolution TEM images showed that the platinum particles in the size range of 1-3 nm are homogeneously distributed on the surface of MWCNTs. The Pt/MWCNTs nanocatalyst was evaluated in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) single cell using H2/O2 at 80 °C with Nafion-212 electrolyte. The single PEM fuel cell exhibited a peak power density of about 1100 mW cm-2 with a total catalyst loading of 0.6 mg Pt cm-2 (anode: 0.2 mg Pt cm-2 and cathode: 0.4 mg Pt cm-2). The durability of Pt/MWCNTs nanocatalyst was evaluated for 100 h at 80 °C at ambient pressure and the performance (current density at 0.4 V) remained stable throughout. The electrochemically active surface area (64 m2 g-1) as estimated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) was also similar before and after the durability test.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 466-470 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Power Sources |
Volume | 195 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 15 2010 |
Keywords
- Carbon nanotubes
- Membrane/electrode assemblies
- PEM fuel cells
- Platinum nanoparticles
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering