Porous carbon nanotube electrodes supported by natural polymeric membranes for PEMFC

A new type of porous multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrode with a macroporous networking inner-structure was prepared. First, the MWCNTs were homogeneously introduced inside and outside of a bacterial cellulose membrane with a 3D inter-connected network structure using ultrasound treatment and vacuum filtration in order to form the GDL. Second, the CL was formed on the surface of the GDL through vacuum filtration of the Pt incorporated MWCNTs (Pt/MWCNTs). Finally, the electrode was created through freeze-drying. The final electrode had a sheet resistance of 80 Ω/□ and an electro-chemical active surface area (ECSA) of 10.1 m2/g. Although the ECSA of the electrode did not have the efficiency (14.3 m2/g) of a typical electrode (carbon cloth/Pt/carbon black), these results suggested that the new type of electrode has potential as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.