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Title: The durability dependence of Pt/CNT electrocatalysts on the nanostructures of carbon nanotubes: hollow- and bamboo-CNTs

Journal Article · · Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9(10):5811-5815

The electrochemical durability of Pt/CNT with hollow- and bamboo-structured carbon nanotubes as the support for PEM fuel cells was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV, 0.6-1.1V) accelerated degradation test method. Pt/CNT catalysts were characterized with cyclic voltammograms, rotating disk electrodes, and TEM images. The changes in the electrochemical surface area of Pt and the activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) before and after the degradation indicate that bamboo-structured carbon nanotubes supported Pt (Pt/B-CNT) catalyst exhibited much higher durability. TEM images indicate that the sintering of Pt nanoparticles was much less for Pt/B-CNT. These are attributed to the specific bamboo-like nanostructures which provide more “bamboo-knot” defects and edge plane-like defects. Pt-support interaction was therefore enhanced and the durability was improved.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
965571
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-61618; 24990; EB4209000; TRN: US200919%%629
Journal Information:
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9(10):5811-5815, Vol. 9, Issue 10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English