Preparation and evaluation of electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on in situ carbon nanotubes grown carbon paper for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2009-05, Vol.34 (9), p.3838-3844
• Main Authors: Saminathan, K., Kamavaram, V., Veedu, V., Kannan, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon; Density; Deposition; Electrodeposition; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; In situ MWCNTs; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; PEM fuel cells; Platinum; Platinum nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.03.009

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based microporous layer on the non-woven carbon paper substrates was prepared by in situ growth in a chemical vapor deposition method. Pt with a loading of ∼0.13 mg cm −2 was electrodeposited at −0.3, −0.6, −1.2, −2.4, and −3.6 V vs SCE in a chloroplatinic acid (60 g/L) and hydrochloric acid (10 g/L) bath using a potentiostat. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the Pt nanoparticles decorated on the MWCNTs/carbon paper are highly uniform, especially at an electrodeposition voltage of −0.6 V vs SCE. Pt particles' size at various deposition potentials, as estimated by X-ray diffraction analysis is in nanosize range with an average diameter of 6 nm. Fuel cell performance of the Pt deposited in situ grown MWCNTs carbon paper was evaluated using Nafion-212 membrane at various operating conditions. The cathode with Pt deposition at −0.6 V showed a power density of ∼640 mW cm −2 at 80 °C using H 2 and O 2 at 90% RH and 101 kPa.