Complex electrochemical investigation of ordered mesoporous carbon synthesized by soft-templating method: charge storage and electrocatalytical or Pt-electrocatalyst supporting behavior

Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) was synthesized by an evaporation induced self-assembly method, under acidic conditions, with resorcinol as the carbon precursor and Pluronic F127 triblock copolymer (EO106PO70EO106) as a structure directing agent. The obtained OMC product was characterized by N2 sorptometry, X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy. The mean pore radius of 2 nm and specific surface area of 712 m2 g−1 were found. The OMC sample was subjected to a complex electrochemical testing in order to check for its applicability in various energy conversion processes. For pure OMC, the charge storage properties and kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution were measured. The OMC sample delivered specific capacitance of 232 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 with 83.6% capacitance retained at 100 mV s−1. Effective ORR electrocatalysis by OMC in alkaline media was evidenced, with onset potential amounting to −0.10 V vs. saturated calomel electrode. A part of the OMC sample was used as a support of Pt nanoparticles, and examined as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HOR) and ORR in acidic media. Reversible HOR kinetics was observed, while ORR performances were found to be competitive to the ones on other carbon-supported Pt electrocatalysts reported so far. A superb electrochemical behavior was correlated to physico-chemical properties of OMC. Described OMC stands out as a highly versatile material, which can be used to replace carbon materials developed for specific purposes, allowing rationalization of carbon-based technologies aimed for energy conversion purposes.