Improved Catalytic Performance of Pt Supported on Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes as Cathode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Applications Prepared by Dual-stepped Surface Thiolation Processes

Abstract

This study develops a simple surface modification process for modifying the MWCNT surface by thiolation reaction after the conventional nitric acid treatment for strong interface attachment of Pt NPs and improved dispersion onto MWCNTs. The thiolated MWCNTs (Pt/MWCNTs) showed significant improvement of methanol electro-oxidation activity compared with that treated only by nitric acid solution. The prepared electrode with thiolated MWCNTs was used as the cathode for assembling MEA for DMFC single-cell applications. Testing results indicate that the thiolated MWCNT cathode can improve the power density of MEA by more than 300% (from 4.6 to 20.6 mW cm(-2)) compared with that treated only by conventional nitric acid reactions. The dual-step modification process for MWCNT surface treatment showed significant improvement over the convention nitric acid treatment and can be successfully used in DMFC applications.