Growth and Optimization of TIO2 Nanotubes for Electrode Support Material In Proton Exchangemembrane Fuel Cells
Abstract
State-of-the-art electrode support materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are composed of various forms of high surface area carbon such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphitized carbon. It is well known that carbon corrosion in these materials can negatively impact PEMFCs’ performance through a collapse of the electrode pore structure and/or a loss of hydrophobic character. This study investigated the synthesis of nanotubes (NTs) composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2) obtained through the anodization of a titanium foil. TiO2 NTs presented in this work are expected to have great promise for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells as electrode support materials due to better oxidation resistance, chemical stability, and higher electrical conductivity when compared to some forms of carbonaceous support materials. It examined the morphological, chemical and structural properties of the NTs such as tube diameter and length, composition, and crystallographic phase with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The aim of this study is to fully understand the relationship between growth parameters and their impact on the properties of the TiO2 NTs.
Growth and Optimization of TIO2 Nanotubes for Electrode Support Material In Proton Exchangemembrane Fuel Cells
Founders Hall 250 B
State-of-the-art electrode support materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are composed of various forms of high surface area carbon such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphitized carbon. It is well known that carbon corrosion in these materials can negatively impact PEMFCs’ performance through a collapse of the electrode pore structure and/or a loss of hydrophobic character. This study investigated the synthesis of nanotubes (NTs) composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2) obtained through the anodization of a titanium foil. TiO2 NTs presented in this work are expected to have great promise for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells as electrode support materials due to better oxidation resistance, chemical stability, and higher electrical conductivity when compared to some forms of carbonaceous support materials. It examined the morphological, chemical and structural properties of the NTs such as tube diameter and length, composition, and crystallographic phase with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The aim of this study is to fully understand the relationship between growth parameters and their impact on the properties of the TiO2 NTs.
