Single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers as electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation

Abstract

This work studies the use of various single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypapers as catalyst supports for methanol electro-oxidation in acid media. Buckypapers were obtained by vacuum filtration from pristine and oxidized SWCNT suspensions in different liquid media. Pt-Ru catalysts supported on the buckypapers were prepared by multiple potentiostatic pulses using a diluted solution of Pt and Ru salts (2 mM H 2 PtCl 6 + 2 mM RuCl 3 ) in acid media. The resulting materials were characterized via SEM, TEM, EDX and ICP-OES analysis. Well dispersed rounded nanoparticles between 2 and 15 nm were successfully electrodeposited on the SWCNT buckypapers. The ruthenium content in the bimetallic deposits was between 32 and 48 at. %, while the specific surface areas of the catalysts were in the range of 72 to 113 m 2 g -1 . It was found that the solvent used to prepare the SWCNT buckypaper films has a strong influence on the catalyst dispersion, particle size and metal loading. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments point out that the most active electrodes for methanol electro-oxidation were prepared with the buckypaper supports that were obtained from SWCNT dispersions in N-methylpyrrolidone.

Tailoring carbon xerogels' properties to enhance catalytic activity of Pt catalysts towards methanol oxidation

“…Recent developments in carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [18,19], carbon nanofibers [20,21], graphene [22e24] etc., have further boosted the research on high-performance DMFC electrocatalysts [1]. In comparison with traditional carbon supports (carbon blacks and activated carbons), carbon nanomaterials present unique properties that enhance catalytic activity (high specific surface area and strong interaction with metal nanoparticles, excellent stability under harsh electrochemical conditions and high electrical conductivity) [1,11].…”

Recent progress in development of efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

“…Dispersant presence instead of pure SWCNTs and oxygen-containing functional group greatly influences the methanol oxidation performance. 100 In 2012, Liu along with his colleagues studied the effect of phosphorus doping in multiwalled carbon nanotubes support of platinum for the methanol oxidation process. The as-synthesized catalyst possesses very high stability and tolerance toward CO than carbon black and MWCNTs.…”

The potential of novel carbon nanocages as a carbon support for an enhanced methanol electro‐oxidation reaction in a direct methanol fuel cell

“…13 However, some disadvantageous of CB, such as size distribution and surface chemistry, have yet to be overcome. Currently, novel nanostructured carbon materials have been chosen as catalyst supports, such as carbon nanotube (CNT), 14,15 carbon nanofibre (CNF), 16,17 graphene, 18,19 single-wall CNT 20,21 and most recently, carbon nanocage (CNC) supports. 22 Each of these structured carbon supports has their own properties.…”