Abstract
A direct scheme for the synthesis of carbon nanotube (CNT) supported Pt and Pd catalysts is reported. Pt and Pd nanocatalysts deposited on nitrogen doped CNTs (NCNTs) were prepared via metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using thermally labile metal organic precursors. These materials were characterized by a host of techniques including TEM, XPS, TGA and voltammetry. The MOCVD based synthetic route offers several advantages including the circumvention of a majority of processing steps that are normally required to disperse and activate such catalysts on carbon supports. The low temperature dispersion and loading of catalysts also allows for study of the synergistic role of the carbon support on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activity of NCNT supported Pt catalysts for ORR was comparable to Pt/ Vulcan catalysts. Results from preliminary experiments and prospects for extending the MOCVD synthesis route for preparing viable carbon supported catalysts for ORR are discussed.