Preparation and evaluation of electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on in situ carbon nanotubes grown carbon paper for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based microporous layer on the non-woven carbon paper substrates was prepared by in situ growth in a chemical vapor deposition method. Pt with a loading of ∼0.13 mg cm−2 was electrodeposited at −0.3, −0.6, −1.2, −2.4, and −3.6 V vs SCE in a chloroplatinic acid (60 g/L) and hydrochloric acid (10 g/L) bath using a potentiostat. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the Pt nanoparticles decorated on the MWCNTs/carbon paper are highly uniform, especially at an electrodeposition voltage of −0.6 V vs SCE. Pt particles' size at various deposition potentials, as estimated by X-ray diffraction analysis is in nanosize range with an average diameter of 6 nm. Fuel cell performance of the Pt deposited in situ grown MWCNTs carbon paper was evaluated using Nafion-212 membrane at various operating conditions. The cathode with Pt deposition at −0.6 V showed a power density of ∼640 mW cm−2 at 80 °C using H2 and O2 at 90% RH and 101 kPa.