Surface functionalization and density control of free-standing oriented double walled nanotube for improved performance of fuel cell

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have attracted much attention in recent years due to their potential as both residential and transportation power sources. However, one of the most significant barriers for the widespread commercialization of PEMFCs is the high cost of precious Pt and Pt alloy electrocatalysts, as well as their low utilization efficiency in the catalyst layers. The performance of the metal electrocatalysts is mainly determined by their structural properties (eg. surface area, size, shape etc.) and their interaction with supports. In this work, these two factors will be systematically investigated with the proper nanostructural design including supports and the metal electrocatalysts.