One‐dimensional PtFe hollow nanochains for the efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Abstract Integration of electronic and strain effects with tailored structures is significant to tuning the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, one‐dimensional PtFe hollow nanochains are synthesized by a facile and effective method, which exhibit a highly open and porous structure. The modulated electronic and strain effects of Pt atoms are verified by extensive structural characterizations, and the mass and specific activities of the prepared catalyst are roughly 7.45 and 12.44 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C catalyst, respectively. Remarkably, the catalyst demonstrates robust performance with negligible activity decay after an accelerated durability test for 30,000 cycles. The high activity of the catalyst is probably due to the optimized absorption affinity of Pt‐O accelerating the reaction kinetics induced by the cooperation of Fe atoms as well as the unique hollow and curved structures. This study provides new insights into the rational design of high‐performance ORR catalysts with considerable durability.

Keywords

• electrocatalysts
• hollow nanochains
• one‐dimensional
• oxygen reduction reaction
• zinc‐air battery