Abstract
Hollow core mesoporous shell (HCMS) carbon has been explored for the first time as a cathode catalyst support in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The HCMS carbon consisting of discrete spherical particles possesses unique structural characteristics including large specific surface area and mesoporous volume and well-developed interconnected void structure, which are highly desired for a cathode catalyst support in low temperature fuel cells. Significant enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction has been achieved by the HCMS carbon-supported Pt nanoparticles compared with carbon black Vulcan XC-72-supported ones in the DMFC. In addition, much higher power was delivered by the Pt/HCMS catalysts (i.e., corresponding to an enhancement of ca. 91-128% in power density compared with that of Pt/Vulcan), suggesting that HCMS carbon is a unique cathode catalyst support in direct methanol fuel cell.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 368-375 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Applied Catalysis B: Environmental |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue number | 3-4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 20 May 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank KICOS for financial support toward Korean–Italian Joint Research Project and the Korean Basic Science Institute at Jeonju, Chuncheon and Deajeon for SEM and TEM measurements. The authors also thank Mr. Minwoo Kim for BET and XRD measurements.
Keywords
- Catalyst support
- Direct methanol fuel cell
- Electrocatalyst
- Hollow core mesoporous shell carbon
- Oxygen reduction reaction