Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous carbon for electrochemical energy conversion devices

H.R. CORTI; M.M. BRUNO; E. FUENTES QUEZADA; G. MONTIEL; DIANA CRISTINA MARTÍNEZ CASILLAS; G. HORWITZ; F.A. VIVA; M.P. LONGINOTTI

Cancún, Quintana Roo

Congreso; XXI International Materials Research Congress; 2015

Materials Research Society

Mesoporous carbons with or without hierarchical porous structure are potential candidates to be used in devices for energy production and storage due to its high conductivity, specific area, pore volume, and mechanical stability. In this work we describe the synthesis of mesoporous carbon through the use of a resorcinol - formaldehyde resin with a soft template, such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium) chloride (PDAMAC), or a hierarchical mesoporous carbon, using soft and hard templates (SiO2 particles).The specific area of these materials, determined using adsortion isotherms can reach values higher than 1000 m2.g-1 ,while the porous size can be tunned 5 to 30 nm. A complete characterization of the carbons have been performed, including electrical conductivity, wetting and imbibition of alcohol aqueous solutions, and permeability of water and oxygen. These carbonous materials, in monolithic or powder forms, has been used as support of electrocatalysts for hydrogen and direct methanol PEM fuel cells in the anodic and cationic side with remarkable results, as compared to commercial electrodes, probably as a consequence of a much better mass transport inside the sample.In adition to the results for hydrogen feed PEM fuel cells, we have also analyzed prototypes of direct methanol PEM fuel cells and we compare the polarization curves with that of commercial electrodes deposited on Vulcan carbon.The mesoporous carbon was also characterized the point of view of its use in the cathode of Li-oxygen battery. In this case the key parameters are the partition of Li salts between the Li ion dissolved in non-aqueous solutions and the diffusion of Li+ ions and oxygen through the nanochannels. Finally we will discuss the results obtained using these materials in electrochemical cells of difference of salinity, in the CAPMIX (capacitive) and concentration cell configurations.