Highly graphitic carbon nanocoils (GCNC) were synthesized through the catalytic graphitization of carbon microspheres obtained by the hydrothermal carbonization of different saccharides (sucrose, glucose and starch) andwere used as a support for Pt nanoparticles. The Pt nanoparticleswere deposited by means of a polymer mediated-polyolmethod. The Pt catalysts were characterized both physically (XRD, TEM, HRTEM and XPS) and electrochemically (electrooxidation of methanol in an acid medium). The electrocatalysts thus prepared show a high dispersion of Pt nanoparticles, with diameters in the 3.0–3.3nm range and a
very narrow particle size distribution. These catalytic systems possess high electroactive Pt surface areas (up to 85m2 g−1 Pt) and they exhibit large catalytic activities towards methanol electrooxidation (up to 201Ag−1 Pt). Moreover, they have a high resistance against oxidation, which is considerably greater than that of the Pt/Vulcan system.Spanish MCyT (MAT2008-00407, MAT2007-60621 and FEDER)
