Advanced Fuel Cell Catalyst Comprising Hierarchical Three-Dimensional Network Structured Mesoporous Carbon and a Nitrogen-Rich Polymer Shows Remarkable Stabilities against Carbon Corrosion and Pt Sintering

Abstract Here, a developed hierarchical 3D network structured mesoporous carbon (nwOMC) coated with a nitrogen-rich polymer (poly[2,2′-(2,6-pyridine)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole]; PyPBI) was offered as a catalyst support with high tolerance against carbon corrosion and sintering of metal catalyst. N2 adsorption, XPS analysis, and temperature-programmed desorption measurements showed a dramatic decrease in both the micropore volume and the oxygen-surface functional groups of nwOMC (those are susceptible for electrochemical oxidation) after the PyPBI coating process. The nwOMC tolerance against oxidation increased by 60%. PyPBI played an active role in improving the catalytic activity and durability of the anchored Pt. The Pt mass activity increased by about 67% @ 0.85 V, and the Pt stability against coalescence enhanced by about 2.5. The outcomes of the present study are noteworthy to define a different route toward the development of fuel cell catalysts.