Carbon–ceramic composites from coal tar pitch and clays: application as electrocatalyst support

Abstract

Carbon–ceramic composites have been prepared and characterised by different techniques (electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry). The effect on the conductivity of the thermal treatment temperature of the composites and the structure of the starting ceramic has been analysed. The results demonstrate that the layered structure of the clay determines their conductivity. The composites prepared are conductors and the conductivity goes through a maximum with increasing thermal treatment. Platinum has been successfully deposited on the carbon–ceramic composite by chemical and electrochemical methods. A better distribution of platinum and smaller particle sizes are obtained by the electrochemical method. The direct electrooxidation of methanol in acid medium has been studied on platinum-modified carbon–ceramic electrodes.