Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts synthesized via a simple alcohol reduction method

Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NPC) were investigated as both a highly active catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and a suitable porous support structure. Pt/NPC catalysts with loadings of 8.8–35.4 wt.% were prepared via a simple alcohol reduction method and exhibited homogeneously dispersed Pt nanoparticles with a small mean size ranging from 1.90 to 2.99 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement suggested the presence of strong interactions between the Pt nanoparticles and NPC support. 27.4% Pt/NPC demonstrated high catalytic activity for the ORR in a rotating disk electrode system and was also effectively applied to a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). A GDE fabricated using the Pt/NPC with a fine pore network exhibited excellent performance, especially at high current densities. Specific activity of Pt/NPC and Pt/carbon black catalysts for the ORR correlated with the peak potential of adsorbed OH reduction on Pt, which was dependent on the particle size and support. Graphic abstract