Synthetic porous carbon as support of platinum nanoparticles for fuel cell electrodes

M. M. BRUNO; G. A. PLANES; M. C. MIRAS; C. A. BARBERO*; E. PASTOR; J. L. RODRIGUEZ

Molecular Crystals & Liquid Crystals

Taylor & Francis

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2010 p. 229 - 236

1542-1406

Porous vitreous carbon can be produced by pyrolysis of resorcinol-formaldehyde porous resin.  Using surfactants as stabilizers, it is possible to dry the porous resin in air without pore collapse. Having a large surface area (> 500 m2/g) and high electronic conductivity makes the materials suitable as support of electrocatalyst nanoparticles. Pt nanoparticles were prepared by a microemulsion method and impregnated into the carbon pores by adsorption from its suspension. The presence of the Pt nanoparticles is easily detected by the electrochemical reduction of proton and the evolution of H2, detected by DEMS. The cyclic voltammogram of the modified electrode in presence of CO does not show current due to CO oxidation to CO2. On the other hand, the differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) signal clearly shows CO2 production. Methanol can be electroxidized on the electrode containing Pt nanoparticles supported on porous carbon.