High dispersion and electrocatalytic properties of platinum on well-aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst was electrochemically dispersed on well-aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays by a potential-step method. The structure and elemental composition of the resulting Pt/CNT electrode were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt/ CNT electrode for oxygen reduction reaction have been investigated by linear sweep voltammetry. Compared with a Pt/graphite electrode, higher electrocatalytic activity of the Pt/CNT electrode can be observed. This may be attributed to the high dispersion of platinum catalysts and the particular properties of CNT supports. The results imply that the Pt/CNT has good potential applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.