Effects of pores structure of MgO-templated combined with KOH active porous carbon on its supported Pt catalysts for enhanced electrocatalytic reactions

Pore structures in carbon materials have been referred to regulate the properties of carbon, which are meaningful for improving electro-catalytic performance. Herein, a series of Pt-based porous carbon catalysts (Pt/MPC) are synthesized, which are used in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The coupling of template method and KOH activation is used to synthesize carbon carrier, then Pt NPs are loaded on it by NaBH₄ reduction. The well-tuned catalyst Pt/MPC₍₁₃₁₎ exhibits an overpotential of 34 mV and 23 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm^-2 in 1.0 M KOH and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ for HER (under 5.76 wt% Pt load), respectively. The micropore regulated by KOH provides a high ion-accessible surface, and mesoporous formed by MgO template provide a fast channel for ion transport, which leads to great electron transport and increased exposure of Pt. Besides, the MOR activity of Pt/MPC₍₁₃₁₎ is 1932.1 mA mg^-1, which is 2.43 times higher than that of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (791.6 mA mg^-1), and has half-wave potential of 0.84 V on ORR. The abundant hierarchical pores and highly utilized Pt active sites are favorable for accelerating the sluggish kinetics of HER, MOR, and ORR. This work provides an anticipated perspective of applicable Pt-based catalyst for advanced electrocatalysts.