Development of multiwalled carbon nanotubes platinum nanocomposite as efficient PEM fuel cell catalyst

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes platinum nanocomposite has been prepared via chemical route by reduction of Pt salt on MWCNTs in ethylene glycol solution while refluxing in Argon atmosphere. The effect of different pH media during the reduction process on their physical and electrochemical properties, as well as on their performance in unit PEM fuel cell has been studied and further compared with the reaction carried out while refluxing in air as already demonstrated by the authors. The I-V performance of unit PEM fuel cell shows a peak Power density of 156 mW cm-2 with catalyst prepared in alkaline medium, an increase of > 110 % as compared to 72 mW cm-2 obtained while employing catalyst prepared in acidic medium and tested under similar conditions. This is attributed not only to the small particle size of reduced Pt NPs, but also to its uniform distribution when reduction is carried out in alkaline medium. This has been further explained by detail reaction mechanism under alkaline conditions. © 2016 The Author(s).