Carbon xerogel supported Pt and Pt-Ni catalysts for electro-oxidation of methanol in basic medium

Highly mesoporous carbon was obtained by carbonization of a polymer xerogel previously synthesized via sol-gel condensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde. The investigation describes electro-oxidation of methanol in alkaline electrolyte using Pt and Pt-Ni catalysts supported on this high surface area mesoporous carbon. The electrocatalytic tests showed better performance of the catalysts when impregnated with this carbon support.