Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Supported Platinum Nanoparticles with Improved Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 2392 - 2396
• Main Authors: Kongkanand, Anusorn, Kuwabata, Susumu, Girishkumar, G, Kamat, Prashant
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 28.02.2006
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Membranes; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Support; Film; Hydrogen; Nanoparticle; Rotating disk electrode; Electron transfer; Alcohol; Potential; Particle; Chemical reduction; Electrocatalysis; Platinum; Alkanol; Membrane; Rate constant; Proton exchange; Fuel cell; Methanol; Oxygen; Carbon black; Stability; Transition metal; Carbon; Singlewalled nanotube; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la052753a

Significant enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity of Pt particles toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been achieved by depositing them on a single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) support. Compared to a commercial Pt/carbon black catalyst, Pt/SWCNT films cast on a rotating disk electrode exhibit a lower onset potential and a higher electron-transfer rate constant for oxygen reduction. Improved stability of the SWCNT support is also confirmed from the minimal change in the oxygen reduction current during repeated cycling over a period of 36 h. These studies open up ways to utilize SWCNT/Pt electrocatalyst as a cathode in the proton-exchange-membrane-based hydrogen and methanol fuel cells.