Carbon nanotube-based materials for fuel cell applications

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted extensive research interest due to their unique structure and properties such as high surface area, extraordinary mechanical properties, high electronic conductivity and chemical stability. These remarkable characteristics of CNTs, along with the inherent benefits of a carbon material, make CNTs promising candidates for fuel cell applications. In this review, we summarize and compare the recent research and development on CNT-based fuel cells, particularly focussing on CNTs as a catalytic support for enhanced electro-catalytic activity, metal-free electro-catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and fillers in the polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells.