Fabrication of platinum electrocatalysts on carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2012-07, Vol.75, p.101-107
• Main Authors: Shu, Ting, Liao, Shi-Jun, Hsieh, Chien-Te, Roy, Anup Kumar, Liu, Yung-Ying, Tzou, Dong-Ying, Chen, Wei-Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atomic layer deposition; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysts; Decoration; Deposition; Durability; Electrochemical activity; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Platinum; Pt catalysts
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2012.04.084

Platinum (Pt) has been synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto the surface of multi-layered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in order to investigate catalytic activity and durability of the ALD-Pt catalyst electrode in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Methylcyclopentadienyl-(trimethyl) platinum (MeCpPtMe3) and oxygen serve as precursors at a deposition temperature of 250°C. One growth mechanism involving two self-limiting reactions is proposed to clarify the decoration of ALD-Pt nanoparticles over the CNT support. The resultant ALD-Pt catalyst displays not only the fairly good electrochemical activity (electrochemically active surface area) but also the stability after potential cycling >1000cycles. Experimental results also show that the CNTs decorated with the ALD-Pt catalysts exhibit low-equivalent series resistance (∼3.55Ω), high-power density (∼2.95kWgPt−1 at 80°C) and long-term durability. On the basis of the results, the ALD approach is capable of synthesizing well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles onto CNTs, forming the advanced design of catalyst electrode for PEMFCs.