Development of a self-supported single-wall carbon nanotube-based gas diffusion electrode with spatially well-defined reaction and diffusion layers

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2010-12, Vol.195 (24), p.8084-8088
• Main Authors: Drillet, J.-F., Bueb, H., Dettlaff-Weglikowska, U., Dittmeyer, R., Roth, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buckypaper; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; DMFC; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Gas diffusion; Methyl alcohol; Nanostructure; Sedimentation; Self-supported electrode; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Surfactants; SWCNT
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.07.014

This work reports on the development of a solvent-free method for the fabrication of a self-supported single-wall carbon nanotubes electrode, which is based on successive sedimentation of both SWCNT/surfactant and PtRu–SWCNT/surfactant suspensions followed by a thermal treatment at 130 °C. The as-prepared self-supported electrode showed sufficient mechanical strength for half-cell investigation and membrane-electrodes assembly fabrication. By using a Pt catalyst loading of 1 mg cm −2, the overall thickness of the gas diffusion electrode reached 95 μm. Its electrochemical activity towards methanol oxidation was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and current–voltage polarisation measurements under half-cell and direct methanol fuel cell conditions.