(198g) 3D Carbon Nanomaterial/Platinum Microtube Composites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells

3D Carbon Nanomaterial/Platinum Microtube Composites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells

Delaney Marbach, Alvin Burns, Jack Bui, F. John Burpo, Enoch A. Nagelli^*

Department of Chemistry & Life Science

United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996

^*Corresponding PIs: Dr. Enoch Nagelli, Email: enoch.nagelli@usma.edu

High aspect ratio platinum nanotubes were synthesized using a novel bottom-up, electroless deposition approach without the aid of a template or complex deposition techniques. Square planar salt precipitates electrostatically self-assemble in aqueous solution as a function of complex ion type and concentration. Reduction of salt crystals proceeds effectively in solution using sodium borohydride reducing agent. We effectively demonstrate a cost effective and scalable approach to synthesizing platinum nanotube electrode materials with a tunable morphology and surface-area to volume ratio. We developed a platinum nanotube composite with various carbon allotrope (graphite, carbon nanotubes, and graphene) via an ink-process used for electrocatalysis at the cathode of a fuel cell. This would rival the already established electrode designs for fuel cells catalysts using platinum black, and would be a more cost-effective design. The nanotubes and inks were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV).