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An In Situ Carbonization–Replication Method to Synthesize Mesostructured WO 3 /C Composite as Nonprecious‐Metal Anode Catalyst in PEMFC
Author(s) -
Cui Xiangzhi,
Hua Zile,
Wei Chenyang,
Shu Zhu,
Zhang Liangxia,
Chen Hangrong,
Shi Jianlin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201200902
Subject(s) - materials science , chronoamperometry , cyclic voltammetry , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , thermogravimetry , ethylene glycol , chemical engineering , mesoporous material , electrochemistry , anode , catalysis , carbonization , inorganic chemistry , electrode , composite material , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , organic chemistry , engineering
A meostructured WO 3 /C composite with crystalline framework and high electric conductivity has been synthesized by a new in situ carbonization–replication route using the block copolymer (poly(ethylene glycol)‐ block ‐poly(propylene glycol)‐ block ‐poly(ethylene glycol)) present in situ in the pore channels of mesoporous silica template as carbon source. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy , transmission electron microscopy , thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis, and N 2 adsorption techniques were adopted for the structural characterization. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and single‐cell test for hydrogen electrochemical oxidation were adopted to characterize the electrochemical activities of the mesoporous WO 3 /C composite. The carbon content and consequent electric conductivity of these high‐surface‐area (108–130 m 2 g −1 ) mesostructured WO 3 /C composite materials can be tuned by variation of the duration of heat treatment , and the composites exhibited high and stable electrochemical catalytic activity . The single‐cell test results indicated that the mesostructured WO 3 /C composites showed clear electrochemical catalytic activity toward hydrogen oxidation at 25 °C, which makes them potential non‐precious‐metal anode catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cell.