Low-cost polyaniline coated carbonized materials as support for Pt-based electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC)

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) technology has achieved commercial pre-feasibility, but its high cost and insufficient durability are the main obstacles to its full utilization. It has been determined that the problem of durability and high-cost has hindered the development of the carbon carrier used for Pt catalyst. Therefore, there is a great need to find low-cost and robust alternative support. In this paper, different carbonized materials were studied as supports for Pt-based electrocatalysts. Low-cost materials (lab-gown, toilet paper and filter paper) are carbonized with high temperature and modified by polyaniline to provide sufficient surface modification to improve Pt deposition on these supports. After comparison, it was found that carbonized lab-gown has better electrocatalytic performance than single-walled carbon nanotubes, carbonized toilet paper, and filter paper. The results provides an effective basis for replacing high cost and preparation of cumbersome carbon nanotubes with low cost and durable support materials.