Multifunctional carbon nanotube networks for fuel cells

A single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network is functionalized in different ways to achieve a multifunctional electrode. This electrode material is used as light and thin gas diffusion electrodes in fuel cells. In contrast to any previous work, no other carbon material is part of the electrode. We demonstrate that the performance of such all-SWCNT gas diffusion electrodes is comparable to that of regular electrodes which are based on amorphous carbon. This allows the entire replacement of these regular carbon electrodes by such multifunctionalized SWCNT networks. This way, extremely thin and light gas diffusion electrodes are realized, potentially fulfilling the demands of light-weight power supplies. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.