Electrocatalytic performance of platinum supported on synthetic mesoporous carbons: Effect of the structure of the support

摘要

Two mesoporous carbon materials with different structural properties have been synthesised by the templating method using two types of silica templates: ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and colloidal silica nanoparticles (Ludox SM-30). Both carbon materials had high specific surface areas and large pore volumes, but showed different porous structures. In order to improve the metal precursor-support interaction, their surface chemistry was modified by HNO3 treatments, creating surface oxygen groups. Supports have been found to possess strong influence on both the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of catalysts. Therefore, platinum was supported on these materials and tested in a PEM fuel cell working at room temperature, in order to analyze the effect of the support on the preparation and the performance of the electrocatalysts.