Synthesis of three-dimensionally ordered macro-/mesoporous Pt with high electrocatalytic activity by a dual-templating approach

Abstract Three dimensionally ordered macro-/mesoporous (3DOM/m) Pt catalysts are fabricated by chemical reduction employing a dual-templating synthesis approach combining both colloidal crystal (opal) templating (hard-templating) and lyotropic liquid crystal templating (soft-templating) techniques. The macropore walls of the prepared 3DOM/m Pt exhibit a uniform mesoporous structure composed of polycrystalline Pt nanoparticles. Both the size of the mesopores and Pt nanocrystallites are in the range of 3–5 nm. The 3DOM/m Pt catalyst shows a larger electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), and higher catalytic activity as well as better poisoning tolerance for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) than the commercial Pt black catalyst.