End-opened carbon nanotube array supported Pd as anode for alkaline fuel cell

Carbon nanotube arrays (CNTA) with ends cut open by femtosecond laser were used as Pd catalyst support to make anodes for alcohol oxidation in alkaline media. This Pd based end-opened CNTA electrode performed significantly better than the unprocessed Pd based CNTA electrode. The investigation proves that the femtosecond laser cutting technique can be very useful in fabricating 3D CNTA structures/devices with controllable dimensions and may yield unique advantages in terms of maximizing the potentials of CNTAs for application in energy conversion and energy storage.

Research highlights
► End-opened CNTA supported Pd catalyst was obtained first time by femtosecond laser cutting and applied for alcohol oxidation in alkaline media.
► Pd based end-opened CNTA electrode performed significantly better than the unprocessed Pd based CNTA.
► This novel open-ended 3D CNTA structure showed potentials for energy conversion and storage applications.