Model Study of CNT-Based PEMFCs’ Electrocatalytic Layers

One of the most important problems in development proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is selection an efficient support material to serve as electrocatalyst, which can ensure PEMFCs’ durability at low active metal loading, with minimal changes electrochemical surface and conductivity during long-term operations. Carbon nanostructures are now widely used PEMFCs such materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In order estimate effect geometric parameters a CNT-based on resulting size distribution platinum nanoparticles for given synthesis conditions, this work, we propose semi-empirical model that assumes random uniform particles over CNT surface. Based obtained distribution, electrochemically area (EASA) electrocatalyst calculated further evaluate performance catalytic layer (CL) PEMFC. The applicability proposed calculating CLs output characteristics shown.