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Abstract: A graphitic mesoporous carbon (denoted as GMC) was synthesized using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursors and iron nitrate as a graphitization catalyst. The GMC was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption. The results show that the GMC has a mesoporous structure and a high surface area of 403 m2 g−1, and particularly, a well-defined graphitic framework. Using the GMC as the support, a PtRu/GMC was synthesized to act as an electrocatalyst for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). A counterpart with Vulcan® XC-72 (denoted as XC) as the support was prepared for comparison. TEM images show that PtRu nanoparticles are distributed uniformly on the carbon supports for both electrocatalysts. The electrochemical activity of the PtRu/GMC toward the MOR is slightly higher than that of the PtRu/XC in both half cell and single cell measurements. The 1500h stability test of a single cell suggests that the PtRu/GMC is excellent stable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vulcan XC-72R, Ketjen Black EC 300J and Black Pearls 2000 carbon blacks were used as the additive in Pt black cathode catalyst layer to investigate the effect on direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance. The carbon blacks, Pt black catalyst and catalyst inks were characterized by N2 adsorption and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The cathode catalyst layers without and with carbon black additive were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, EDX, cyclic voltammetry and current-voltage curve measurements. Compared with Vulcan XC-72R and Black Pearls 2000, Ketjen Black EC 300J was more beneficial to increase the electrochemical surface area and DMFC performance of the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer with Ketjen Black EC 300J additive was kept intimately binding with the Nafion membrane after 360 h stability test of air-breathing DMFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]