Electrode with a Carbon Nanotube Array for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

One of the most important problems in the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells remains the selection of an efficient electrocatalyst support capable of providing a low loading of active metal with minimal changes in the electrochemical surface, electronic conductivity, and activity. In this work, carbon nanotube arrays (CNTAs) grown directly on commercial gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are used to form electrodes of a new type. The CNTAs are used in the electrode as a microporous layer. The catalytic layer is formed in the microporous layer by a method that does not destroy the carbon support structure and consists of the controlled impregnation of CNTAs with the Pt-precursor with subsequent reduction in platinum particles in the surface volume of the layer. The resulting electrode was studied by scanning/transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This electrode provides increased electrical conductivity of the layer and can also improve stability and longer service life due to the enhanced adhesion of carbon materials to the GDL.

Recent Advances in the Development of Nanocarbon-Based Electrocatalytic/Electrode Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

“…Due to the original structure of graphite, it is possible to synthesize quite complex and diverse carbon nanomaterials on its basis. These include all types of graphene structures and their derivatives: carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanofibers (CNFs), graphene nanosheets, graphene oxides (GOs), reduced graphene oxides (rGOs), arrays of nanotubes, aligned and non-aligned, as well as graphene aerogels, honeycombs, spheres, and others [27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

Adsorption and Recombination of H+ and H3O+ on Graphene-Supported Pt1, Pt13, and Pt14 Nanoclusters: A First Principles Study

“…Therefore, Pt electrocatalysts based on nanostructured carbon materials with high stability (graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, fullerenes, etc.) are promising components for the PEMFCs with extended lifetimes [6][7][8][9][10][11]. The type of support also has an impact on metal-support interactions as well as on the energy of the current-forming reaction [12][13][14].…”