Microwave-assisted synthesis of Pt/CNT nanocomposite electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells

Authors

Weimin Zhang, University of Wollongong
J Chen, University of WollongongFollow
Gerhard Swiegers, University of WollongongFollow
ZiFeng Ma, Shanghai JiaoTong University
Gordon G. Wallace, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

36159

Publication Details

Zhang, W., Chen, J., Swiegers, G. F., Ma, Z. & Wallace, G. G. (2010). Microwave-assisted synthesis of Pt/CNT nanocomposite electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells. Nanoscale, 2 (2), 282-286.

Abstract

Microwave-assisted heating of functionalized, single-wall carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) inethylene glycol solution containing H₂PtCl₆, led to the reductive deposition of Pt nanoparticles(2.5–4 nm) over the FCNTs, yielding an active catalyst for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). In single-cell testing, the Pt/FCNT composites displayed a catalytic performance that was superior to Pt nanoparticles supported by raw (unfunctionalized) CNTs (RCNTs) or bycarbon black (C), prepared under identical conditions. The supporting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), functionalized with carboxyl groups, were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and Raman spectroscopy. The loading level, morphology, and crystallinity of the Pt/SWNT catalysts were determined using TGA, SEM, andXRD. The electrochemically active catalytic surface area of the Pt/FCNT catalysts was 72.9 m²/g-Pt.

Grant Number

ARC/DP0877348, ARC/FF0669110

Additional Grant Number

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/ARC/DP0877348

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/ARC/FF0669110