One-Step Synthesized Tungsten Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Composites as Pt Catalyst Supports for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

In this work we report a novel in situ method to incorporate tungsten oxide into carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These composite materials were utilized as a catalyst support material for Pt nanoparticles, with their performance towards ORR being investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and rotating ring disk electrode techniques. The results show an improved performance for Pt/WO _x -CNTs compared with Pt/CNTs. The physical characterization of the materials was carried out using XRD, XPS, SEM and EDX, which indicated the presence of tungsten trioxide and metallic platinum present along with CNTs. Tungsten oxide incorporated CNTs are presented as potential alternative support materials for PEM fuel cell catalysts to improve the catalytic activity and reduce platinum loading requirements.