Synthesis of Pt nanocatalyst with micelle-encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as support for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Micelle-encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as catalyst support to deposit platinum nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images reveal the crystalline nature of Pt nanoparticles with a diameter of similar to 4 nm on the surface of MWCNTs. A single proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with total catalyst loading of 0.2 mg Pt cm(-2) (anode 0.1 and cathode 0.1 mg Pt cm(-2), respectively) has been evaluated at 80 degrees C with H-2 and O-2 gases using Nafion-212 electrolyte. Pt/MWCNTs synthesized by using modified SDS-MWCNTs with high temperature treatment (250 degrees C) showed a peak power density of 950 mW cm(-2). Accelerated durability evaluation was carried out by conducting 1500 potential cycles between 0.1 and 1.2V with 50 mV s(-1) scan rate, H-2/N-2 at 80 degrees C. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with Pt/MWCNTs showed superior performance stability with a power density degradation of only similar to 30% compared to commercial Pt/C (70%) after potential cycles. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.