Seok, Shi-Hyun Jun, Minki Lee, Jae Won Lee, Yeong-Seop Lim, Kisung Sangwon Kim Hae Jung Son Ju, Hyunchul Jin Young Kim Sook Young Moon 2026-02-06T07:30:04Z 2026-02-06T07:30:04Z 2026-02-01 2026-03 0378-7753 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/154234 Carbon support structures based on elastic carbon nanotube (CNT) aerogels are designed as efficient ultralow Pt-loaded catalyst layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The CNT aerogels consist of elastic self-supporting frameworks with controlled linear packing density and alignment. Among different morphologies, the horizontally aligned structure exhibits 180 % higher tensile strength, 13.7 % greater porosity, and enhanced connectivity and crystallinity. This optimized configuration enables efficient electron and mass transport pathways, resulting in superior PEMFC performance at ultralow Pt loadings. A maximum power density of ∼0.5 W cm−2 is achieved at 0.1 mgPt cm−2 when the horizontally aligned CNT aerogel is employed as a cathode, significantly outperforming both conventional carbon black and randomly aligned CNT electrodes. The performance enhancement is attributed to improved electron transport and oxygen gain facilitated by the thin two-dimensional, densely aligned CNT bundles. English Elsevier BV Elastic carbon nanotube aerogels with unidirectional alignment as electrocatalyst support for high performance ultralow Pt-loaded fuel cell electrodes Article 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.239319 1 Journal of Power Sources, v.668, pp.239319 Journal of Power Sources 668 239319 N scie scopus 001676165700001 Chemistry, Physical Electrochemistry Energy & Fuels Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Electrochemistry Energy & Fuels Materials Science Article Carbon nanotube Aerogel Pt catalyst support Electrocatalysis Proton exchange membrane fuel cells Oxygen reduction reaction