Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with Carbon Nanotube Based Electrodes

TLDR

Carbon nanotubes were grown on carbon paper by CVD using cobalt as catalyst, then platinum was electrodeposited onto the CNTs, and the resulting morphology was characterized physicochemically and electrochemically. The CNT‑supported platinum electrodes lowered platinum usage and demonstrated a functional fuel cell, confirming the feasibility of this cost‑effective approach.

Abstract

The use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a platinum support for proton exchange membrane fuel cells has been investigated as a way to reduce the cost of fuel cells through an increased utilization of platinum. Carbon nanotubes were selectively grown directly on the carbon paper by chemical vapor deposition with electrodeposited cobalt catalyzing the growth of the carbon nanotubes. The as-prepared carbon nanotubes were employed as the support for the subsequent platinum catalyst, which is electrodeposited on the carbon nanotubes. Physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations were conducted to identify the morphologies of the cobalt, the carbon nanotubes, and the electrodeposited platinum on the carbon nanotubes. The feasibility of a fuel cell using the carbon nanotube-based electrodes was demonstrated.