Efficient electrocatalyst of Pt–Fe/CNFs for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media.

Transition metal iron-based catalysts are promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and they have the potential to replace noble metal catalysts. The one-dimensional of carbon nanofibers with tubular structure can effectively promote the electrocatalytic activity, which facilitates electron transport. Herein, the Pt–Fe/CNFs were synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent calcination. Benefiting from the advantages of one-dimensional structure, Pt–Fe/CNFs-900 with fast electrochemical kinetics and excellent stability for ORR with excellent onset of 0.99 V, a low Tafel slope of 62 mV dec−1 and high limiting current density of 6.00 mA cm−2. Long-term ORR testing indicated that the durability of this catalyst was superior to that of commercial Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte. According to RRDE test, the ORR reaction process of Pt–Fe/CNFs-900 was close to four-electron transfer routes. • The Pt–Fe/CNFs were synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent calcination. • Pt–Fe/CNFs-900 with fast electrochemical kinetics and excellent stability for ORR. • The durability of this catalyst was superior to that of Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]