Increased mass transport at lithographically defined 3-D porous carbon electrodes

Increased mass transport due to hemispherical diffusion is observed to occur in 3D porous carbon electrodes defined by interferometric lithography. Enhanced catalytic methanol oxidation, after modifying the porous carbon with palladium nanoparticles, and uncharacteristically uniform conducting polymer deposition into the structures are demonstrated. Both examples result in two regions of hierarchical porosity that can be created to maximize surface area, via nanostructuring, within the extended porous network, while taking advantage of hemispherical diffusion through the open pores.