High-performance direct methanol fuel cell electrodes using solid-phase-synthesized carbon nanocoils

Abstract

Carbon nanocoils with nanometer-thick graphitic fibers (see picture) were synthesized by the simple heat treatment of nanocomposites of a carbon precursor, silica, and a transition-metal salt. The carbon nanocoils exhibited a high surface area and a highly graphitized structure. The nanocoils were then successfully applied as catalyst supports for direct methanol fuel cell electrodes.