Nanostructured conducting polyaniline tubules as catalyst support for Pt particles for possible fuel cell applications

Nanotubules of polyaniline synthesized by template method on commercial carbon cloth have been used as the catalyst support for Pt particles for electro-oxidation of methanol. The ohmic and the charge transfer resistances of the nanotube-based electrode were considerably lower than the polyaniline electrode synthesized by the conventional route. The Pt incorporated polyaniline nanotube electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability compared to the 20 wt % Pt supported on the VulcanXC 72R carbon and Pt supported on the conventional polyaniline electrode. The electrode fabrication used in the present investigation is particularly attractive to adopt in the solid polymer electrolyte-based fuel cells, which is usually operated under methanol or hydrogen. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.