Enhanced oxygen reduction performance of Pt catalysts by nano-loops formed on the surface of carbon nanofiber support

We demonstrate a modification of the exposed graphite edges on herringbone carbon nanofiber (CNFs) into graphitic loops with nanosized curvature through thermal treatment. It was found that Pt catalysts supported on the surface modified CNFs showed much enhanced performance on oxygen reduction reaction. Such enhancement was possibly originated from an enhanced surface diffusion of oxygen on the modified CNFs.