Wednesday, 12 October 2022: 11:40
Room 216 (The Hilton Atlanta)
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is an electrochemical cell which undergoes oxygen reduction reaction to produce energy. Platinum (Pt) metal has been used for catalysis since its inception, but expensiveness is the major obstacle in commercialization of fuel cell. Herein a non-precious group metal (NPGM) is employed instead of Pt to reduce the cost of PEMFCs. Manganese dioxide-based carbon nanotubes (MnO2 CNTs) is a catalyst having excellent electrochemical properties and offers a better alternative to the Platinum based PEMFC. The catalyst is synthesized by impregnating the transition metal on large surface carbonaceous CNTs by hydrothermal synthesis techniques. To enhance the catalytic activity and increase the volumetric current density, the sample was pyrolyzed at 800 0C temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. During pyrolysis, the nitrogen was doped in the framework of CNTs. The material is then treated with acid for removing the unreacted metals and adding oxygen functional group to the CNT framework. This process ameliorates the catalytic activity of the manganese-based catalyst. The catalyst has been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the catalyst activity has been examined by Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) experiment. The catalyst was strong enough to withstand austere alkaline environment in experimental conditions and had high electro catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) depicts a current density of -4.0 mA/cm2 and an over potential of -0.3V vs. Standard Calomel Electrode (SCE) in 0.1M KOH electrolyte. Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) was conducted at 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 rpm. The results of MnO2CNT uphold the proponent of desirable and low-cost catalyst to supplant the Pt metal in fuel cell.