Hierarchical porous carbon materials prepared by direct carbonization of Al-PCP as a Pt-catalyst support for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Herein, hierarchical porous carbon materials (HPC) were prepared with Al-based PCP as a starting template via direct carbonization and used as a matrix to support a Pt-catalyst. The as-prepared HPC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The Pt-catalyst supported on HPC (Pt/HPC) was prepared via a microwave irradiation method and characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical activities and stabilities of the Pt/HPC catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction were evaluated in acidic media by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry and accelerated durability testing, respectively. The results show that Pt/HPC exhibits higher electrocatalytic activity and better stability as compared to the commercial E-TEK Pt/C due to the hierarchical porous structure and high specific surface area of HPC.