Sulfur-Doping Templated Synthesis of Nanoporous Graphitic Nanocages and Its Supported Catalysts for Efficient Methanol Oxidation

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2015 Apr;15(4):3111-6. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2015.9622.

Abstract

We demonstrate a new sulfur (S)-doping templated approach to fabricate highly nanoporous graphitic nanocages (GNCs) by air-oxidizing the templates in the graphitic shells to create nanopores. Sulfur can be introduced, when Fe@C core-shell nanoparticles are prepared and then S-doped GNCs can be obtained by removing their ferrous cores. Due to removing S-template, both the specific surface area (from 540 to 850 m2 g(-1)) and the mesopore volume (from 0.44 to 0.9 cm3 g(-1)) of the graphitic nanocages have sharply risen. Its high specific surface area improves catalyst loading to provide more reaction electro-active sites while its high mesopore volume pro- motes molecule diffusion across the nanocages, making it an excellent material to support Pt/Ru catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't