Abstract
The influence of surface characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) support on the catalytic performance of PEFC electrodes is investigated by using oxidized and non-oxidized MWNTs as the supports for platinum. The defect-free morphology, high electrical conductivity and favorable pore-size distribution of non-oxidized MWNTs ameliorate catalytic activity and electrochemical stability of platinum. Physico-chemical properties of oxidized and non-oxidized MWNTs and the respective catalysts are studied by BET surface-area, XRD, XPS and TEM measurements. Electrochemical stability of MWNTs-supported platinum as PEFC electrodes is assessed using potential cycling and potentiostatic techniques. Owing to the higher corrosion-resistance, platinum on non-oxidized MWNTs show lower loss in electrochemical surface area (ESA) and also exhibit 22% lower corrosion current than oxidized MWNTs.