Optimizing Electrospinning Parameters for Enhanced Diameter Control of Composite Nanofibers in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of electrospinning parameters, particularly focusing on the applied voltage parameter, on the diameter of TCNFs composite nanofibers for application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The electrospun nanofibers are comprehensively characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis and electrochemical techniques of cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results revealed that the optimal applied voltage is 16 kV for TCNFs nanofiber, resulting in an average nanofiber diameter of 161.18 nm. Furthermore, the electrochemically characterized composite nanofibers of PtRu/TCNFs demonstrate exceptional performance, achieving a peak current density of 265.33 mAmgPtRu-1, surpassing PtRu/C by 3.35 times. The comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights for tailoring nanofiber design to enhance electrocatalytic performance, paving the way for advancements in DMFC technology.