Atomic Layer Deposition of Platinum onto Functionalized Aligned MWNT Arrays for Fuel Cell Application

High aspect ratio materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), provide unique opportunities and advantages as catalyst support materials in fuel cells. In particular, CNTs are highly conductive and corrosion resistant; properties which represent limitations for current carbon supports. These factors, along with others, have contributed to CNTs being intensely investigated and reported upon in the literature. While most advanced catalysts research focuses on the production of small nanoparticles to increase the percent of surface accessible Pt; here, we specifically attempt to conformally coat Pt in thin layers onto CNT arrays. The motivation for conformal coating is due in large part to the exceptional results shown by 3M using a similar system (referred to as NSTF). However, 3M’s approach includes using a nonconducting substrate rather than highly conductive CNTs. To date, we are aware of only one (our prior) example of conformal coating of Pt on CNTs.