Tuesday, 1 November 2005 - 8:40 AM
179c

Molecular Anchor Pt Nanoparticles on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts

Zhongwei Chen1, Weiqiao Deng2, Xin Wang3, William A. Goddard III4, and Yushan Yan1. (1) University of California, Riverside, A242 Bourns Hall, Chemical Engineering, Riverside, CA 92507, (2) California Institute of Technology, Materials and Process Simulation Center (MC 139-74), 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, (3) Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, (4) Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division, California Institute of Technology (, Materials and Process Simulation Center (MC 139-74, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

Molecular anchor will dramatically improve the electrocatalytic activity of electrocatalysts. Our previous calculation results show that the molecular anchor can improve internal conductivity ~100 times larger than van der waals connection, which enhance the electron transport process in electrochemical process. Here different surface functionalized (-NH2, -COOH, -SH, purified) multi-walled carbon nanotubes supported Pt nanocatalysts (2-5 nm) were prepared by ethylene glycol (EG) method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) as well as linear voltammetry. The Electrocatalytic activity of these nanocatalysts are in the order of -NH2 > -COOH > purified > -SH. Polarization and power density data in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) test were in good agreement with the electrochemical characterization and calculation results.

See more of #179 - Novel Electrolysis and Materials for Fuel Cells : II (T1017)
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