Synthesis and characterization of platinum nanoparticles on in situ grown carbon nanotubes based carbon paper for proton exchange membrane fuel cell cathode

V. Kamavaram, V. Veedu, Arunachala Mada Kannan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based micro-porous layer on the carbon paper substrates was prepared by in situ growth in a chemical vapor deposition setup. Platinum nanoparticles were deposited on in situ grown MWCNTs/carbon paper by a wet chemistry route at <100 °C. The in situ MWCNTs/carbon paper was initially surface modified by silane derivative to incorporate sulfonic acid-silicate intermediate groups which act as anchors for metal ions. Platinum nanoparticles deposition on the in situ MWCNTs/carbon paper was carried out by reducing platinum (II) acetylacetonate precursor using glacial acetic acid. High resolution TEM images showed that the platinum particles are homogeneously distributed on the outer surface of MWCNTs with a size range of 1-2 nm. The Pt/MWCNTs/carbon paper electrode with a loading of 0.3 and 0.5 mg Pt cm-2 was evaluated in proton exchange membrane single cell fuel cell using H2/O2. The single cells exhibited a peak power density of 600 and 800 mW cm-2 with catalyst loadings of 0.3 and 0.5 mg Pt cm-2, respectively with H2/O2 at 80 °C, using Nafion-212 electrolyte. In order to understand the intrinsically higher fuel cell performance, the electrochemically active surface area was estimated by the cyclic voltammetry of the Pt/MWCNTs/carbon paper.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-56
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume188
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2009

Keywords

  • In situ 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

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