Partially unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotubes—promising material for oxygen electrodes of fuel cells

Partially unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used as an active layer of the oxygen electrodes. The obtaining of partially unzipped carbon nanotubes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. An investigation of the electrocatalytic characteristics of such oxygen electrodes was carried out in a fuel half-cell with an alkaline electrolyte. Electrochemical studies have established that the obtained partially unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotubes are promising materials as a catalyst carrier for oxygen electrodes of fuel cells. The oxygen electrodes based on the electrochemically obtained carbon materials were stable for six months at a discharge current density of 200 mA cm −2 .