Novel synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-ordered mesoporous carbon composites and their application in electrocatalysis

Reduced graphene oxide-ordered mesoporous carbon composite materials (RGO-OMC) have been successfully fabricated through hard-template method. Firstly, we introduced graphene oxide during the formation of silica to obtain graphene oxide-ordered mesoporous silica (GO-OMS) template. Then target product RGO-OMC was fabricated by employing GO-OMS and sucrose to be template and carbon source, respectively. The results reveal that mesoporous carbons are unambiguously covered by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets, possessing an expanded structure texture and higher graphitization degree. Furthermore, it was found that Pt catalysts supported on RGO-OMC showed enhanced electrochemical performance and long-term stability for methanol oxidation due to the structure advantages of the support, high Pt-loading efficiency and uniform Pt distribution.

Graphical abstractThe mesoporous carbons unambiguously covered by reduced oxide graphene sheets possess an ordered two-dimensional mesoporous structure, high surface area and large pore volume.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Ordered mesoporous carbon is widely covered by reduced graphene oxide. ► Surface area and graphitization degree of mesoporous carbon are improved. ► Excellent electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability are present.