3D hierarchical porous carbons containing numerous nitrogen atoms as catalyst supports for PEMFCs

Hierarchical porous carbons containing numerous nitrogen atoms (HPCs-N) with high surface areas and 3D interconnected open macropore structures were prepared as a catalyst support for PEMFCs. Despite the large amount of Pt nanoparticles (40 wt%) highly dispersed Pt catalysts with homogeneous small diameters (∼2 nm) were achieved using the effects of nitrogen sites. The electrochemical performances of a Pt-incorporated HPCs-N cathode were better than those of the Pt-incorporated carbon black cathode due to the improved carbon-catalyst binding, extension of the three-phase boundary, improved mass transfer, and a synergistic support effect with the nitrogen-doped support materials.

► Highly porous carbons with nitrogen were prepared from cellulose precursors.
► High dispersion of Pt catalysts (40 wt%) was achieved onto the porous carbons.
► The electrochemical surface areas of Pt were much higher than that of the commercial cathode.
► The oxygen reduction reaction charge transfer resistance was much smaller than that the commercial cathode.
► A full cell performance was 22% higher than that of a commercial cathode.