Effect of pore diameter of wormholelike mesoporous carbon supports on the activity of Pt nanoparticles towards hydrogen electrooxidation

Pt nanoparticles are successfully deposited on wormholelike mesoporous carbons (WMCs) using a pulse microwave-assisted polyol method. WMCs with two different pore diameters are used. The particle size of Pt on both supports is identical, about 3 nm. It has been found that Pt utilization efficiency is very low when the pore diameter of WMCs (Dp) is equal to the diameter of Pt nanoparticles (DPt). However, in the case that Dp is more than twice DPt, the electrochemical surface area and Pt utilization efficiency are dramatically enhanced, and in turn, hydrogen electrooxidation activity is greatly improved.