Synthesis and characterization of platinum multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite film electrode

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by a bimetallic (Fe–Co/CaCO3) catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) method. The synthesized CNTs were purified with acid to remove the catalyst impurities to enhance the deposition of platinum (Pt) onto the CNTs surface. Platinum multiwall (Pt-MWCNTs) nanocomposites were produced by a wet impregnation technique dispersed in Texanol and Acrylic resins to form a paste. The paste was screen printed on an FTO glass substrate. Surface morphology, microstructure, chemical composition, crystallographic phase, surface area and electrical performance of the Pt-MWCNTs nanocomposites were measured by HRSEM, HRTEM, EDS, XPS and XRD. The electrical conductivity of the electrode produced was found to be 4.927 S m−1. The results showed that the prepared nanocomposites will be a good electrode material in solar cell applications.