Assembly of Pt Nanoparticles on Graphitized Carbon Nanofibers as Hierarchically Structured Electrodes
Nejc Hodnik, Luigi Romano, Primož Jovanovič, Francisco Ruiz‐Zepeda, Marjan Bele, Filippo Fabbri, Luana Persano, Andrea Camposeo, Dario Pisignano
Abstract
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.