Activated carbon nanotubes-supported catalyst in fuel cells

The electrochemical property of platinum loaded on activated carbon nanotubes (Pt/ACNTs) was investigated by cyclic voltammograms (CVS) recorded in H2SO4 and H2SO4/CH3OH aqueous solutions, respectively. Compared to 0.0046 A/cm(2) of Pt-loacled on pristine carbon nanotubes (Pt/CNTs) with a S-BET of 164 m(2)/g and 0.0042 A/cm(2) of conventional carbon black (Pt/C, Vulcan XC-72) with a S-BET of similar to 250 m(2)/g, a better electrochemical activity (a high Current density of 0.0070 A/cm(2) for weak-H-2 adsorption/desorption) of the Pt/ACNTs with high specific surface area (S-BET) of 830-960 m(2)/g Was obtained. Furthermore, the highest current density of 0.079 A/cm(2) at 0.65 V in anodic sweep was observed during the methanol oxidation. On the basis of Pt size, utility ratio. and electro-active specific Surface area (EAS), the Pt/ACNTs with a high Pt-loading of 50 wt.% exhibited the best electrochemical activity. The present ACNTs may be an excellent support material for electrochemical catalyst in proton exchange membrane and direct methanol fuel cells. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.