Highly Stable Pd-Based Catalytic Nanoarchitectures for Low Temperature Fuel Cells

The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are treated with hydrofluoric acid (HF) aqueous solution so as to make enlarged micropores on the nanotube walls. Normally, there are no chemical bonds between the metal nanoparticles and the support. Therefore, the large contact area between metal nanoparticles and the support would decrease the possibility of nanoparticle agglomeration or their detachment from the support. The obtained large micropores; to which the meal nanoparticles are attached can efficiently achieve the above advantages. In the experiment, the catalytic activity and the stability of Pd supported on HF treated MWCNTs (Pd/MWCNTHF) catalyst are evaluated by potential cycling for ethanol oxidation. The voltammetric data suggest that the obtained enlarged micropores on the treated nanotube walls can anchor the metal nanoparticles so effectively that it can overcome the agglomeration or detachment from the surface of the MWCNT. Pd/MWCNTHF catalyst shows improved stability.