|
Abstract
|
In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were deposited directly on
impregnated Fe/carbon paper (CP) substrate (CNT/CP) utilizing
chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process with the aim of using them as
electrocatalytic electrode. The influence of wet impregnation conditions
and CVD growth parameters on the characteristics of CNTs was
investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM),
Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) and Raman spectroscopy were applied to characterize nucleation,
growth and morphology of CNTs on CP. Measurement of Contact angle
(CA) determined 125.9 and 145.0 ⁰C for CP and CNT/CP that displayed
an increase in water repellence and degree hydrophobicity of CNT/CP to
15% than CP. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis
indicated the reduction of electrode charge transfer resistance from 5000
ohm value from CNT/CP to ohm value for CP that shows the increment
in electrical conductivity of CNTCP. Half-cell test analysis represented
that the improvement of performance and the increase of power density to
⁓8 % for Pt/CNT/CP compared to commercial catalyst Pt/C/CP (20 wt%)
even with about 42% less Pt loading, can be attributed to strong adhesion
of in-situ CNTs to the CP and lower agglomeration of CNTs along with
outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity of CNTs. The obtained
results indicated that the proposed nanostructure serves as a promising
candidate for many technological applications specially carbon nanotube
supported catalyst.
|