Application of Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composites as Electrode for Polyelectrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

摘要

Polyelectrolyte fuel cell membranes (FCMs) consisting of CNTs as electrode and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) were produced by a modified drop casting technique, leading to the formation of an asymmetric structure. Due to the process, the compounded membranes provided a single-sided electron conductivity on account of the CNTs. By using different 3D-structured CNT-carpets, varying in thickness, density and setup, the properties of the electrode membrane can be adjusted for its designated application, Platinum and ruthenium particles were disposed as catalyst in nano-sized clusters on the CNTs-carpets, which were grown in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The assemblies and the 3D-nano-structures of the FCMs were analysed by SEM. Furthermore, the surface conductance and the results of the fuel cell tests are described.