Assembly of Pt Nanoparticles on Graphitized Carbon Nanofibers as Hierarchically Structured Electrodes

Carbon-based nanofibers decorated with metallic nanoparticles (NPs) as hierarchically structured electrodes offer significant opportunities for use in low-temperature fuel cells, electrolyzers, flow and air batteries, and electrochemical sensors. We present a facile and scalable method for preparing nanostructured electrodes composed of Pt NPs on graphitized carbon nanofibers. Electrospinning directly addresses the issues related to large-scale production of Pt-based fuel cell electrocatalysts. Through precursors containing polyacrylonitrile and Pt salt electrospinning along with an annealing protocol, we obtain approximately 180 nm thick graphitized nanofibers decorated with approximately 5 nm Pt NPs. By in situ annealing scanning transmission electron microscopy, we qualitatively resolve and quantitatively analyze the unique dynamics of Pt NP formation and movement. Interestingly, by very efficient thermal-induced segregation of all Pt from the inside to the surface of the nanofibers, we increase overall Pt utilization as electrocatalysis is a surface phenomenon. The obtained nanomaterials are also investigated by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy, highlighting the higher structural order in nanofibers upon doping with Pt precursors. The rationalization of the observed phenomena of segregation and ordering mechanisms in complex carbon-based nanostructured systems is critically important for the effective utilization of all metal-containing catalysts, such as electrochemical oxygen reduction reactions, among many other applications.