Oxidative Control of Pore Structure in Carbon-Supported PGM-Based Catalysts

摘要

A carbon supported catalyst includes a carbon support having an average micropore diameter is less than about 70 angstroms and a platinum-group metal being disposed over the carbon support. A method for making the carbon supported catalyst includes a step of providing a first carbon supported catalyst having a platinum-group metal supported on a carbon support. The first carbon supported catalyst has a first average micropore diameter, and a first average surface area. The first carbon supported catalyst is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature less than about 250° C. for a predetermined period of time to form a second carbon supported catalyst. The second carbon supported catalyst has a second average pore diameter and a second average surface area. Characteristically, the second average pore diameter is greater than the first average pore diameter, and the second average surface area is less than the first average surface area.