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Vertically aligned carbon nanotube-based electrodes for hydrogen production by water electrolysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2013

Xiaozhi Wang ,
Hang Zhou ,
Peng Li  and
Wenmiao Shu
Xiaozhi Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Hang Zhou*
Affiliation:
School of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
Peng Li
Affiliation:
Industrial Technology Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Suzhou 310058, China
Wenmiao Shu
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: zhouh81@pkusz.edu.cn
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Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), due to their unique electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, have led to our interest in their application of water splitting process. This carbon nanotube-based electrode, synthesized by plasma ehanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), provides a ∼6 times enhancement of hydrogen production via water electrolysis compared to a graphite electrode in acidic electrolyte. Our PECVD-grown vertically aligned carbon nanotubes show good adhesion to the graphite substrate and long-term sustainability in a strong acid solution without the need for any complicated and expensive pretreatment. Furthermore, the neutral potassium phosphate solution electrolyte (KPi electrolyte) using cobalt salt as the catalyst, as was reported recently, has been used to demonstrate the long-term compatibility of the MWNTs electrode under different electrolyte. MWNTs from thermal chemical vapor deposition growth technique were also fabricated and compared with the PECVD-grown samples.

Keywords

carbon nanotubewater electrolysishydrogen production
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 28 , Issue 7: Focus Issue: De Novo Carbon Nanomaterials: Opportunities and Challenges in a Flat World , 14 April 2013 , pp. 927 - 932
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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