Catalytic Activity Evaluation of Palladium Decorated Damaged Carbon Nanotube for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells in Anode

The sp² p-conjugative structure, that allows the carbon nanotube (CNT) interact with various compounds and metal nanoparticles (NPs) through p–p interaction. The damage of p-conjugative sidewall of CNT can hamper the overall anodic activity. The CNT, as base material, has been prepared through a conventional acid treatment method up to 15h; the higher degree of sidewall damage has been observed in last 5 hours during treatment period. The short and long term acid treated CNTs have been subsequently fabricated with palladium NPs (denoted as CNT/Pd and CNT–Pd, respectively) and employed as ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). The structural features of catalyst are characterized by several instrumental techniques. The Barrett–Joyner–Halenda pore volume of CNTs have been increased upon increasing acid treatment time from 0.326 cm³ g⁻¹ (1h CNT), 0.381 cm³ g⁻¹ (5h CNT), 0.488 cm³ g⁻¹ (10h CNT) to 0.598 cm³ g⁻¹ (15h CNT). The kinetic parameters including poisoning tolerance have also been hampered by the surface damage. The CNT/Pd and CNT–Pd are express higher electrocatalytic activity and poisoning tolerance than that of Pd/C while Pd mass loading remains in the same amount.