APPLICATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES IN POLYMER ELECTROLYTE BASED FUEL CELLS

作者：Zhang Wei; Silva S Ravi P

来源：Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, 2011, 29(1): 1-14.

Polymer electrolyte based fuel cells (PEFCs) are always in the forefront of fuel cell revolution. Recently a wide variety of application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in PEFC components has been exploited. The impetus is to improve the PEFC performance by taking advantages of CNTs'; extraordinary physical, chemical and electronic properties. Herein, we briefly review these efforts with an attempt to obtain a better understanding on the role of CNTs in PEFCs, and this article is structured as the following: the contribution of CNTs is first addressed in terms of improving the mechanical strength and proton conductivity of polymer electrolyte membrane; their role in electrocatalysis is then discussed with respect to facilitating the utilization of noble metal catalysts (platinum) and exploring the platinum-free catalysts; the consideration of CNTs as hydrogen storage materials is also highlighted. Based on the literatures studied, CNTs demonstrate great potential as multifunctional materials in improving PEFC performance.

• 出版日期2011-9