Structural and electrochemical characterization of ordered mesoporous carbon-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites

Ordered mesoporous carbon-reduced graphene oxide (OMC-RGO) composites were prepared using a solvent evaporation induced self-assembly method. We proposed a novel theory called Hanger–Bridge theory to explain how mesoporous carbon prevents RGO from agglomerating, and the RGO enhances the conductivity of mesoporous carbon as well as helping to load more Pt particles. The as-prepared OMC-RGO composites were used as catalyst supports to deposit Pt nanoparticles and facilitate electrocatalytic reactions as well. Furthermore, we discussed the structure and electrochemical performance differences between OMC supported Pt (OMC/Pt) and OMC-RGO supported Pt (OMC-RGO/Pt). Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggest that OMC-RGO/Pt shows an excellent electrochemical active area (6.81 times as big as OMC/Pt), enhanced catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation (6.67 times the highest current density than OMC/Pt), which could be attributed to the unique nanostructure of the catalyst: a high mesoporous structure and the conductivity of the composites, and highly distributed Pt nanoparticles.