Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Fuel Cell Benchmarked Against US DOE 2017 Technical Targets (original) (raw)
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Journal of Porous Materials, 2015
Commercially available multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized using a mixture of HNO 3 and H 2 SO 4 in refluxing condition under three different reaction times (1, 3, and 5 h). The Pt loaded on functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) (Pt/1f, 3f & 5f-MWCNTs) were prepared by reducing chloroplatinic acid and for comparison Pt loaded on pristine MWCNTs (Pt/MWCNTs) was also prepared. The size of Pt nanoparticles was determined using X-ray diffraction method. The uniform dispersion of the Pt catalyst on CNTs was confirmed by HRSEM and HRTEM. Surface area and pore size were calculated by Brunauer Emmett Teller analysis method. Five membrane electrode assembly sets were prepared (Pt/MWCNTs, Pt/1f, 3f, 5f-MWCNTs and commercial Pt/C) and tested in the fuel cell assembly. The first four were prepared using SPEEK membrane as electrolyte with the synthesized Pt/f-MWCNTs catalysts and the fifth one was prepared using commercial Nafion-117 electrolyte and Pt/C electrode for comparison.
Heat-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as durable supports for PEM fuel cell catalysts
Electrochimica Acta
To improve their electrochemical stability as catalyst supports for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are heat treated in an ammonia atmosphere. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are employed to study the temperature effect on the structure of the heat-treated CNTs (H-CNTs), and a thorough investigation of their resistance to electrochemical oxidation is also measured by an electrochemical technique. The amount of surface oxides on the CNTs is visibly high in comparison to the H-CNTs after 48 h of oxidation, indicating that the H-CNTs have a higher resistance to electrochemical oxidation. Pt nanoparticles supported on both CNTs and H-CNTs are fabricated through a polyol process in an ethylene glycol solution. The improvement of the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on nanotubes from the heat treatment is demonstrated, and the results show that the Pt nanoparticles deposited on the H-CNTs heated at 1000 • C are electrochemically accessible. Therefore, they can be used as a durable support for Pt catalysts in fuel cells.
PEM fuel cell electrodes using Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
MRS Proceedings, 2005
ABSTRACTSingle wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have previously been considered potential catalyst supports in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) [1]. Earlier research and development of SWCNT for PEMFC catalyst supports has been advanced by utilizing differing SWCNT purities and carbon blacks in differing ratios. This study validates the performance of SWCNT and introduces new concepts for SWCNT membrane fabrication.
Performance Improvement of Fuel Cell using Platinum Functionalized Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
The short-term goal of this research was to improve the 'performance' of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), via development of aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNT) which provide certain catalytic advantages. PEMFCs are devices which can generate electricity using alternative green resources. The benchmark for improved performance includes better device endurance and decreased platinum (Pt) loading. The long-term goals are to: 1) provide guidelines for design of new materials; 2) promote nanocatalyst applications towards alternative energy; and 3) integrate several advanced instrumentation into nanocharacterization and fuel cell (FC) performance.
Advanced catalytic layer architectures for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, 2014
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have recently reached a remarkable level of performance. Their high cost, however, has a negative impact on the market penetration. Present work reviews recent developments of advanced catalytic layer architectures proposed as an alternative to the conventional ones in view of decreasing the Pt loading and increasing the Pt-specific power density. Various promising approaches will be discussed starting from the widely known 3M's nanostructured thin films to less publicized Pt-decorated arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes/nanofibers. The issues to be addressed span from the preparation of three-dimensionally ordered layers, to fundamental questions related to the optimization of their spatial structure to attain the maximum efficiency of material utilization and activity.