Synthesis of graphitic mesoporous carbons with different surface areas and their use in direct methanol fuel cells

Using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursors, graphitic mesoporous carbons (GMC) with different surface areas were synthesized by adjusting the amount of iron nitrate used as a graphitization catalyst. The BET surface area of the GMC decreases with increasing pore diameter and the material becomes more graphitic with increasing amount of catalyst. Using the GMC as the support, a series of PtRu electrocatalysts (PtRu-GMC) were synthesized. The electrocatalytic activities of the PtRu-GMC toward the methanol oxidation reaction were investigated in both half cells and single cells. The results indicate that the pore size of the GMC is especially important in determining the performance of direct methanol fuel cells.