An ultrastable bimetallic carbide as platinum electrocatalyst support for highly active oxygen reduction reaction

• Synthesis process of Fe2MoC through ion-exchange method is specified.
• Fe2MoC promoted Pt electrocatalyst shows commercial value for ORR.
• Inherent stability and synergistic effect of Fe2MoC on Pt lead to high performance.

Stable bimetallic carbide (Fe2MoC) with graphitized carbon (GC) as matrix has been synthesized through an ion-exchange method. The Pt nanoparticles are loaded on the GC–Fe2MoC composite to form Pt/GC–Fe2MoC electrocatalyst which shows much higher activity and stability than those of commercial Pt/C for oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media. The excellent performances of Pt/GC–Fe2MoC are mainly due to the inherent stability of GC–Fe2MoC and the promotion effect between Fe2MoC and Pt.