Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity and Durability of Pt Particles Supported on Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Spheres

Abstract

Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous carbon sphere array (OMCS)-supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/OMCS) were synthesized and studied as electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In the Pt/OMCS, the Pt particles with a mean size of ∼1.6 nm are homogeneously dispersed on the mesopore walls of the carbon spheres. The Pt/OMCS catalyst exhibits smaller Pt particle size, greater Pt dispersion, larger specific electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), higher activity for MOR and ORR, and better electrocatalytic stability than the carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R)-supported Pt and commercial Pt/C catalysts.