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Vertically Aligned Platinum Copper Nanotubes as PEM Fuel Cell Cathode: Elaboration and Fuel Cell Test
Author(s) -
Marconot O.,
Pauc N.,
Buttard D.,
Morin A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.201700242
Subject(s) - materials science , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , platinum , carbon nanotube , copper , cathode , electrochemistry , nafion , chemical engineering , galvanic cell , catalysis , nanotechnology , electrode , fuel cells , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
This paper describes the elaboration via an electrochemistry route of a PEM carbon‐free cathode made of a periodic array of vertically aligned platinum copper nanotubes. Nanotubes synthesis is assisted with a porous alumina mold made on a silicon substrate to perform growth of copper nanowires. After optimization of an original confined galvanic displacement with H 2 PtCl 6 salt, PtCu nanotubes are embedded into porous alumina template and directly integrated onto a Nafion ® membrane. Therefore, our process does not need any step of purification or catalyst dispersion. The performances in fuel cell of these new electrodes are compared to conventional structures made of Tanaka Pt/C with the same electrocatalytic surface area. Significant improvement in the specific activity at 0.9 V and reduction in mass transport limitations are observed compared with standard Tanaka Pt/C catalyst in real operating conditions.