High loading of Pt-Ru nanocatalysts by pentagon defects introduced in a bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube support for high performance anode of direct methanol fuel cells

摘要

Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs), with a large amount of pentagon defects introduced in the walls, were explored as the support of high loaded Pt-Ru catalysts for the anode of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) in comparison with conventional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Vulcan XC carbon black. By ethylene glycol reduction, Pt-Ru catalysts with a high loading (60 wt%) and uniform particle size of 23 nm were uniformly deposited on BCNTs: while 60 wt% Pt-Ru catalysts on CNTs resulted in significant agglomeration. The Pt-Ru/BCNT catalyst showed the highest activity on methanol oxidation in cyclic voltammetry and highest performance as the anode in a DMFC single cell. Such an enhancement was largely ascribed to an enhanced interaction of the introduced pentagon defects with Pt-Ru, which could promote a high loading and well dispersion of Pt-Ru catalysts and the charge transfer from Pt-Ru to the tubes. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.