Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Novel Ordered Mesoporous Carbon, NCCR-56

In the present study, novel ordered mesoporous carbon, designated as NCCR-56, was prepared by hard-template (nano-casting) approach using ordered mesoporous silica (IITM-56) with sucrose as carbon source. The prepared material was systematically characterized by various analytical, spectroscopic and imaging techniques such as XRD, TEM, BET, Raman, FT-IR and XPS. It was observed that NCCR-56 possesses highly ordered carbon framework structure with Intermediate pore size (3.2 nm) and wall thickness (1.9 nm). The mesoporous carbon, NCCR-56, was then used for the preparation supported platinum catalysts. The resulting Pt/NCCR-56 catalyst showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in comparison with many other platinum supported carbon catalysts including commercial catalysts.