Computational Modelling of Surface Modified Carbon Nanotube for Low Temperature Fuel Cell

Authors Susmita Singh1 , Kinsuk Giri2 , Aadrita Chaudhuri1 , Somerup Ponda1
Affiliations

1 Department of Chemistry, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Kolkata, Major Arterial Road (South-East), AA II, Rajarhat, Newtown, West Bengal, 700135 India

2 Department of CSE, National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training & Research Kolkata, Block-FC, Sector-III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata – 700106, West Bengal, India

Е-mail ssingh@kol.amity.edu
Issue Volume 14, Year 2022, Number 3
Dates Received 24 March 2022; revised manuscript received 22 June 2022; published online 30 June 2022
Citation Susmita Singh, Kinsuk Giri, et al., J. Nano- Electron. Phys. 14 No 3, 03014 (2022)
DOI https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.14(3).03014
PACS Number(s) 61.48.De
Keywords Fuel cell, Surface modification (3) , Carbon nanotube (21) , Simulation (35) .
Annotation

For the advancement in performance of a PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell) it is seen that computational modelling plays a key role. It is observed that the fuel cell catalyst layer gives many challenges from a modelling standpoint. It comprises of a complex, multiphase nanostructured porous material which is difficult to characterize. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are excellent support structures for the anode catalyst layer because of their electrical, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as their huge application potential. Among different functionalization methods, ion irradiation has proven to be an exceptionally effective method for modifying and adapting the properties of CNTs, especially Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), by creating defects and adjusting the structure in a controlled manner. As functionalization by the irradiation technique is still undergoing intense development, the combination of new and optimized materials with high electrocatalytic activity and optimization of the conditions for this method is expected to lead to a significant increase in performance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Computational modelling makes it possible to systematically simulate and optimize functionalization conditions, which would facilitate the preparation of a new electrocatalytic material. Moreover, modelling of CNT functionalization gives in-depth understanding of the structure and transformation of CNTs upon ion irradiation. This model can be used to predict the electrocatalytic activity of an electrode like a function of physical characteristics as intrinsic activity of catalyst. This work exhibits computational modelling of a modified catalyst layer for a PEM fuel cell system by using MATLAB and PYTHON as programming languages.

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