Direct methanol fuel cell Pt–carbon catalysts by using SBA-15 nanoporous templates

Abstract

A mesoporous carbon structure based on SBA-15 silica template was used as a cathode catalyst support of platinum in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The inverse carbon replica of the SBA-15 template was synthesized by carbonization of sucrose exhibiting a large surface area, 1300 m 2/g. Introducing platinum clusters on the carbon support, a large surface area, 800 m 2/g, was maintained and the catalytic activation was confirmed by a DMFC single-cell test. The mesoporous carbon structure could be an ideal catalyst support for electrode support materials in DMFC providing favorable hosting morphology for the metallic catalyst clusters and interconnected pore network for a facile transport of feeds and products. The electrical percolation of the interconnected carbon rods also exhibited a great potentiality for the development of novel DMFC catalyst supports.