Carbon nanotubes / aluminum composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering for hydrogen source to PEMFC

Abstract

The porous aluminum (Al) and Al matrix composites reinforced with 0 ∼ 5 vol. % carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The 5 vol. % CNTs/Al composite exhibits the maximum hydrogen generation rate of 120 ml/min.g in 10 wt. % NaOH solution at room temperature. The hydrogen generation rate of 5 vol. % CNT/Al is much higher than that of pure Al. It is resulted from synergetic effects of porous Al matrix with large surface area and galvanic corrosion between Al matrix and CNTs. Severe pores growth is occurred along with CNT clusters by hydrolysis of Al. Additionally, the hydrogen gas generated from the hydrolysis of 5 vol. % CNTs/Al composite can operate of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) single cell. The current-voltage curve of the hydrogen from CNTs/Al composite is similar with that of commercial high purity hydrogen.