Nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon hollow spheres as a novel carbon support for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Novel nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon hollow spheres (NMCs) as a catalyst support are prepared using polyaniline as both a carbon and a nitrogen source, where the amount of doped nitrogen is controllable (N/C ratio 7.81–16.83 wt%). The prepared NMCs are characterized via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, conductivity and nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. For fuel cell application, a uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles with a diameter of 3.8 ± 1.3 nm is anchored on the surface of the NMCs by ethylene glycol reduction. In a single cell test, the Pt/NMC catalyst is found to have superior catalytic activity to better support the oxygen reduction reaction, resulting in an enhancement of about 19% in mass activity compared with that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst, E-TEK.