Tin-oxide-coated single-walled carbon nanotube bundles supporting platinum electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells

Nanotechnology. 2010 Apr 23;21(16):165705. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/16/165705. Epub 2010 Mar 30.

Abstract

Novel tin-oxide (SnO(2))-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles supporting platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation were developed for direct ethanol fuel cells. SnO(2)-coated SWNT (SnO(2)-SWNT) bundles were synthesized by a simple chemical-solution route. SnO(2)-SWNT bundles supporting Pt (Pt/SnO(2)-SWNTs) electrocatalysts and SWNT-supported Pt (Pt/SWNT) electrocatalysts were prepared by an ethylene glycol reduction method. The catalysts were physically characterized using TGA, XRD and TEM and electrochemically evaluated through cyclic voltammetry experiments. The Pt/SnO(2)-SWNTs showed greatly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation in acid medium, compared to the Pt/SWNT. The optimal SnO(2) loading of Pt/SnO(2)-SWNT catalysts with respect to specific catalytic activity for ethanol oxidation was also investigated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Crystallization / methods
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Platinum / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tin Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Tin Compounds
  • Ethanol
  • Platinum
  • stannic oxide