Catalytic activity of ultrathin Pt films on aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Uniform ultrathin Pt films were electrodeposited onto an aligned array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for high-area chemically stable methanol fuel cell anodes. Electrochemical treatment of the graphitic CNT surfaces by diazoniumbenzoic acid allowed for uniform Pt electroplating. The mass activity of the Pt thin film can reach 400 A/g at a scan rate of 20 mV/s and in a solution of 1 M CH₃OH/0.5 M H₂SO₄. A programmed pulse potential at 0 V was also seen to nearly eliminate the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. The mass activity of Pt for methanol oxidation can be maintained at 300 A/g for more than 3000 s, which is 19 times of that under a constant potential of 0.7 V (vs. Ag/AgCl).