Spontaneous formation of nanoparticles on electrospun fibers for fuel cell electrodes

Abstract

Nanofibers spontaneously decorated with nanoparticles were synthesized by nozzle-free electrospinning, showcasing the latter as a novel, inexpensive and scalable method for depositing high-surface area composites. Layers of nanofibers of the intermediate-temperature proton conducting electrolyte cesium dihydrogen phosphate, (CsH2PO4, CDP), were deposited from homogeneous undersaturated solutions of CDP and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), uniformly over large area substrates. Under certain conditions, the nanofibers develop CDP nanoparticles on their surface, which increases the exposed electrolyte surface area and ultimately enhances electrocatalytic performance. Indeed, fuel cell tests on cathodes made of processed nanoparticle-decorated CDP nanofibers produced higher cell voltage, as compared to state-of-the-art electrodes.