Composite Carbon Nanotube Microsphere Coatings for Use as Electrode Supports

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes and titania, highly corrosion-resistant materials, are successfully assembled into high surface area microparticles (162 m 2 g −1 ) in one step using low-power ultrasound. The composite microparticles are electrically conductive (>0.4 S cm −1 ). The microparticles are deposited as an electrical layer (<2.5 µm) on a stainless-steel mesh gas diffusion layer using a tribochemical coating technique. Long-term durability testing in 0.5 m H 2 SO 4 at 80 °C confirms the corrosion resistance of the catalyst coating. This coating method may have wider applicability for other electrical and electrochemical devices that require thin corrosion-resistant coatings.

Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

“…The carbon supports are typically carbon black with high surface areas, such as Vulcan XC-72, Ketjen black, and Black pearls 2000. Recently, carbon supports with different morphology and sizes are actively investigated to support catalyst nanoparticles (e.g., Pt nanoparticles), including nanofiber [ 33 ], nanotube [ 34 , 35 ], graphene [ 36 ], and composite supports [ 37 ]. The carbon supports can create an efficient network for electron transport between Pt surface and GDLs.…”

Insights into Reinforced Photocatalytic Activity of the CNT–TiO2 Nanocomposite for CO2 Reduction and Water Splitting

“…However, high cost and storage limitations of CO 2 among other challenges have so far doused the interest in reductive transformation of this C1 carbon source. , TiO 2 is a well-known active material for CO 2 photoreduction into hydrocarbons . The modifications of TiO 2 such as (1) doping with cations, anions, and noble metals and (2) coupling with narrow band gap semiconductors assist in obtaining the visible light active material ( h ν < 3.2 eV) with decreased charge recombination rate. , The unique charge transfer and electron-conducting properties as well as high mechanical strength, hollow, layered structure and large surface area of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are well-known and made them promising candidates as dopants and supports for photocatalysts. − CNTs are also known to provide landing sites for coatings with nanoparticles of different sizes …”

Atomic Isolation and Anchoring of Commercial Pt/C Nanoparticles, a Promising Pathway for Durable PEMFCs

“…Some attempts to circumvent the low conductivity include doping with V, N, or Nb atoms; however, this results in complicated manufacturing procedures such as hydrothermal sol–gel routes that involve multistep solution-based processes and mostly lead to a lower product yield for any increase in conductivity values. − Recently, tremendous efforts have been directed toward the use of other allotropes of carbon, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, , as they are believed to provide higher mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and conductivity in comparison to conventional carbon materials . However, their implementation in the fuel cell industries has been held up due to the potential health hazards of nanoscale materials including the evolution of toxological changes in the lungs, inflammation, and fibrosis. , To overcome some of the health hazards associated with nanoscale carbon materials, microscale assembly methods have been proposed. − Those microscale particles conserve their catalytic activity and high surface area; however, the low yield of the production and the use of nanocarbon as a starting materials have curbed the enthusiasm of industry. On the other hand, translation from the bench to industry could be facilitated by directly improving the stability of the gold standard Pt/C.…”