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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Experimental and Density Functional Theory Corroborated Optimization of Durable Metal Embedded Carbon Nanofiber for
Yoonhoo Ha1, Sinwoo Kang2, Kahyun Ham2
1Department of Chemistry , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) , 291 Daehak-Ro , Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
There is a growing need for widespread deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technology for the realization of a sustainable energy landscape. However, due to the high price of platinum (Pt) catalysts, it is necessary to develop highly active and stable non-Pt oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. Here, we describe a rational design of nonnoble metal-embedding and nitrogen-containing carbon nanofiber (M-CNF) catalysts. Using a combined experimental and computational approach, we establish an ORR activity volcano of M-CNF using the work function of the embedded metal as the descriptor. Near the top of the activity volcano, the embedded metal is further optimized by tuning the Fe1- xCo x alloy composition to simultaneously achieve high catalytic activity and durability. This work identifies the mechanistic importance of controlling the charge transfer between the metal and carbon layers, providing guidance for the design of non-Pt ORR catalysts using stable carbon-layer-protected metals.
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