Platinum supported on functionalized ordered mesoporous carbon as electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) with a specific area of 570 m2 g−1 was synthesised using mesoporous silica SBA-15 as template. OMC was used as platinum catalyst support using the method of reduction with NaBH4. Before deposition of platinum, the texture and surface chemistry of the support were modified by oxidation treatments in liquid phase using nitric acid as oxidative agent. During the oxidation process, oxygen surface groups were created, whereas ordered porous structure was maintained, as temperature programmed desorption and transmission electronic microscopy showed, respectively. Platinum supported materials were well dispersed over the mesoporous support and its catalytic performance towards methanol oxidation improved when compared with commercial carbon (Vulcan XC-72).