Self-Organized Pt∕SnO[sub 2] Electrocatalysts on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

To resolve the problems of the lack of cost-effective replacements of Pt catalysts and CO poisoning of Pt electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, we developed a state-of-the-art electrocatalyst in which a Pt layer with a thickness of a few molecular layers is spread over nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The electrocatalysts showed not only excellent activity in H adsorption/desorption, but also a lower potential for initiating the electro-oxidation of CO in comparison with that of conventional catalysts.