Boosting the catalytic efficiency of platinum nanoparticles supported on pristine carbon nanotubes: Synergistic effects of conducting polymers

[Display omitted] •Using pristine carbon nanotube as catalyst support in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.•Polymer functionalization activates the carbon nanotubes surface for metal binding.•Polyaniline as a functional polymer displayed highly distributed Pt nanoparticles.•Oxygen reduction reaction enhanced by polyaniline-wrapping of carbon nanotubes.•Pt/polyaniline/carbon nanotube electrode shown remarkable fuel cell performance. An advanced energy conversion catalyst comprising pristine carbon-nanotubes and conductive polyaniline polymer successfully synthesized and characterized for high temperature and non-humidified polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The fabricated polyaniline-based catalyst shown a good distribution of platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs), and displayed an electrochemical surface area of 645 cm2/mgPt. The catalyst indicated remarkable catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The overpotential of ORR, the open-circuit voltage, and the power density of the polyaniline-based catalyst declined by a 30 mV, increased by a 50 mV, and enhanced by 26.5%, respectively, when compared to the polybenzimidazole-based catalyst. The impedance measurements have emphasized the improved catalytic activity and the enhanced fuel cell performance of the polyaniline-based catalyst, showing a remarkable reduction of 45% in the charge transfer resistance. This study revealed the advantages of using polyaniline as an anchor to improve the Pt-catalytic activity, opening the door for the wide applications of hydrogen energy.