Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic properties of nano-platinum-supported mesoporous carbon molecular sieves, Pt/NCCR-41

In this investigation, we report the synthesis and characterization of mesoporous carbon with disordered MCM-41 type structure by carbonization of sucrose within the pores of siliceous MCM-41. The silica template was removed by a standard procedure, viz., etching with HF, followed by filtration, washing and heat treatment, to obtain the mesoporous carbon. The resulting mesoporous carbon, designated as NCCR-41, was then used as a support for the preparation of highly uniform and well-dispersed nano-sized platinum nanoparticles. The supported catalysts with narrow size distribution of the active platinum, referred as Pt/NCCR-41, show excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction in comparison with platinum supported activated carbon (Pt/AC) as well as commercial carbon (Pt/E-TEK) catalysts.

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► Successful synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon, designated as NCCR-41, is reported.
► The resulting high surface area carbon is used as a support for the preparation of highly dispersed nanosized platinum with narrow size distribution.
► The supported catalyst, referred as Pt/NCCR-41, shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation.