Carbon nanotubes as durable catalyst supports for oxygen reduction electrode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Herein, we report electrochemically durable oxygen reduction reaction catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells under conditions of hydrogen starvation. Insufficient hydrogen supply during transient conditions leads to a cell reversal state in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and oxidation of the carbon support severely decreases the cell performance. The use of carbon nanotubes as a support for the oxygen reduction reaction catalyst is found to suppress carbon oxidation due to the high crystallinity, low defect density, and high aspect ratio, which results in a consistent cell voltage, electrochemical surface area, and electrical resistance, even after 100 rounds of cell reversal. This study demonstrates the excellent durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with a Pt/Carbon nanotube electrode, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analysis.