SnO2 As an Effective Protection Layer of Electrospun Carbon Nanowires Based Catalyst for PEMFC Applications

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) can provide clean and long lasting electrical energy while being portable and operated at relatively low temperatures. However, a reduction of the fabrication costs and an improved durability are pivotal to a successful market introduction of this technology. A more effective utilisation of the highly priced Pt catalyst and the use of more durable materials for the catalyst supports are the core of the development of novel, market ready PEMFC. This could be achieved by moving away from the current standard based on Pt nanoparticles supported on amorphous carbon.

We propose a novel catalyst obtained combining electrospinning of carbon nanowires and microwave Pt synthesis with atomic layer deposition of a protective functional metal oxide layer. We studied the morphology and electrochemical properties of this novel structure and demonstrated that the addition of a thin SnO₂ layer deposited by ALD increase the durability without reducing the Pt activity for the oxygen reduction and that synergistic utilisation of the oxide and Pt can increase the activity towards methanol and ethanol oxidation.