Colloid-imprinted carbon with superb nanostructure as an efficient cathode electrocatalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

Novel colloid-imprinted carbon material CIC-22 with tailored mesopore size of ca. 22 nm was explored for the first time as a cathode electrocatalyst support in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The CIC-22 possesses unique structural characteristics including nonmicropores, large specific surface area and pore volume, well-developed interconnected mesoporosity, and high electrical conductivity as well. The superb characteristics of the CIC-22 make it a highly efficient catalyst support for low-temperature fuel cell. The CIC-22-supported Pt has demonstrated a great improvement in electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction and an enhancement of ca. 70% in power density in comparison with commercial carbon black Vulcan XC 72-supported one. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.