Received: July 1, 2007

In Final Form: October 17, 2007

Abstract:

Ordered mesoporous carbon nanofibers (MCNFs) were synthesized through the hard template of AAO (anodic aluminum oxide) membrane together with the soft template of block copolymer surfactant F127 (PEO₁₀₆-PPO₇₀-PEO₁₀₆). Meanwhile, ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) were prepared through the soft template during the same procedure. The TEM images of the MCNFs show highly ordered parallel channels and regularly circular pore structure. The MCNFs and OMCs as supports for loading Pt nanoparticles were prepared via microwave synthesis process. The electrochemical properties of the two catalysts and the commercial catalyst Pt/C(E-TEK), which is used for comparison, were studied by cyclic voltammogram at room temperature. The results reveal that the catalyst using mesoporous carbon nanofibers as support has excellent electrochemical performance for hydrogen and methanol electro-oxidation. The electrochemical active surface of Pt particles for the Pt/MCNFs in sulfuric acid solution reaches a peak value of 235.2 m²/g, which is about four times that of Pt/OMCs and twice that of Pt/C(E-TEK). Besides, the Pt/MCNFs catalyst with higher current density, higher i_a/i_b in the methanol solution, exhibits higher activity than the other two catalysts for methanol electro-oxidation.

Download the full text: PDF | HTML