Synthesis of Mesoporous Carbon from Okara and Application as Electrocatalyst Support

Abstract

Abstract Carbon materials derived from biomass are economical and simple. Here, a okara‐derived carbon (ODC) was prepared by carbonized cheap and abundant okara at 800 °C in N 2 atmosphere. A high degree of graphitization, mesoporous structure and large specific surface area of ODC were proved by Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscope. The ODC can be used as support of platinum nanoparticles, and the catalytic performance for methanol electro‐oxidation of its was measured by cyclic voltammetry and CO stripping voltammetry. The results showed that Pt/ODC catalyst had higher electrocatalytic activity and the resistance to poisoning ability toward methanol electrooxidation than the Pt/C catalyst prepared under the same conditions.