Processing of pristine carbon nanotube supported platinum as catalyst for PEM fuel cell

Abstract

Pristine multiwalled carbon nanotube supported platinum catalyst (Pt/CNT) has been developed by reduction of Pt salt on CNTs in ethylene glycol solution. The reactions were carried out under different pH conditions followed by detailed physical and electrochemical characterizations. The I-V performance of unit Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell shows a peak Power density of 325 mWcm-2 with catalyst prepared in alkaline medium, an increase of >250 % as compared to 87 mWcm-2 obtained, while employing catalyst prepared in acidic medium and tested under similar conditions. This is attributed not only to the uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles with small particle size in range of 2-3 nm, but also to the metallic or zero oxidation state in which most of the Pt is present when reduction is carried out in alkaline medium.