Significant enhancement of formic acid oxidation using rhodium nanostructures.

The electrocatalytic activity of as-synthesized shape selective Rh nanostructures has been demonstrated using cyclic voltammetry, revealing unique shape-dependant performance towards HCOOH oxidation. Interestingly, the enhancement factor (R) for different shapes of Rh with respect to that of commercial Rh towards formic acid oxidation ranges up to 20,000% for cubes as compared to 17,500% for pyramids and 11,000% for hexagons respectively. Mechanistic pathway for comparatively better sensitivity of cubes as compared to other shapes has been correlated with the results of X-ray diffraction.

Tuning the functionality of a carbon nanofiber-Pt-RuO2 system from charge storage to electrocatalysis.

Chemical-functionalization-induced switching in the property of a hybrid system composed of a hollow carbon nanofiber (CNF) and Pt and RuO(2) nanoparticles from charge storage to electrocatalysis is presented. The results of this study show how important it is to have a clear understanding of the nature of surface functionalities in the processes involving dispersion of more than one component on various substrates including carbon nanomorphologies. When pristine CNF is used to decorate Pt and RuO(2) nanoparticles, random dispersion occurs on the CNF surface (C-PtRuO(2)).

One-dimensional confinement of a nanosized metal organic framework in carbon nanofibers for improved gas adsorption.

The loading of a Zn-terephthalate based MOF in the inner cavity as well as on the outer walls of a hollow carbon nanofiber (CNF) creates MOF@CNF hybrids. This hybrid ''MOF@CNF'' displayed improved thermal stability as well as gas adsorption compared to the individual counterparts.

High aspect ratio nanoscale multifunctional materials derived from hollow carbon nanofiber by polymer insertion and metal decoration.

A novel high aspect ratio material which can simultaneously display multiple functions such as proton and electron conductivity and electrocatalytic activity has been developed by incorporating both platinum nanoparticles and phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole along the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow carbon nanofiber.