Abstract
Platinum nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by the chemical reduction of Magnus’s salt templates formed by the electrostatic stacking of oppositely charged platinum coordinated ions. The Magnus’s salt templated synthesis of platinum macrotubes, previously demonstrated, results in sidewalls made up of individual textured nanoparticles 100 nm in diameter and comprised of 5 nm diameter fibrils. Here we demonstrate a new platform method that utilizes the individual nanoparticles that make up the platinum macrotubes formed from salt templates and subsequently disperse them through a CNT network by ultrasonication to develop an electrocatalyst nanocomposite for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) critical for the development of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications. The structural morphology and composition of the nanocomposite catalysts was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to confirm the presence of platinum nanoparticles throughout the CNT network of the nanocomposite. The electrocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite inks was verified with cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) for ORR. Furthermore, this all aqueous-based and scalable approach for the synthesis and dispersion of platinum nanoparticles with CNTs can lead to a new formulation process for the production of electrocatalytic nanocomposite inks for PEM fuel cells using the nanoparticles that form within salt templates after chemical reduction.
Highlights
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective renewable energy source [1]
We have demonstrated the use of salt templates as sacrificial structures for the reduction and incorporation of Pt nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form electrocatalyst nanocomposite inks
The 100 mM PtNP/CNT nanocomposite inks had the higher Electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) for catalytic activity for hydrogen and electrochemical double layer current
Summary
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective renewable energy source [1]. Extensive research has gone into developing a scalable, high performance, and cost-effective catalyst for ORR [4–7]. Carbon black is often used as a conductive support for Pt-based electrocatalyst inks due to its high surface area and high conductivity [10–12]. While platinum remains an efficient electrocatalyst [14], carbon black degrades over time decreasing durability and increasing the cost of the catalyst due to the need for regeneration [15]. Incorporating a high surface area electrocatalyst layer to serve as electrodes in PEM fuel cells increases performance and durability [22]. It helps overcome the sluggish kinetics for the reduction of oxygen at the cathode [23]
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