Graphitic mesoporous carbon as a durable fuel cell catalyst support

Highly stable graphitic mesoporous carbons (GMPCs) are synthesized by heat-treating polymer-templated mesoporous carbon (MPC) at 2600 degrees C. The electrochemical durability of GMPC as Pt catalyst support (Pt/GMPC) is compared with that of carbon black (Pt/XC-72). Comparisons are made using potentiostatic and cyclic voltammetric techniques on the respective specimens under conditions simulating the cathode environment of PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell). The results indicate that the Pt/GMPC is much more stable than Pt/XC-72, with 96% lower corrosion current. The Pt/GMPC also exhibits a greatly reduced loss of catalytic surface area: 14% for Pt/GMPC vs. 39% for Pt/XC-72. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.