Designing Enhanced One-Dimensional Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Probing Size- and Composition-Dependent Electrocatalytic Behavior in Noble Metal Nanowires

Despite increasing interest in the use of one-dimensional (1D) noble metal nanostructures for the oxygen reduction reaction, there has been a surprising lack of effort expended in thoroughly and rationally examining the influence of various physicochemical properties of 1D electrocatalysts with respect to their intrinsic performance. In this Perspective, we address this important issue by investigating and summarizing recent theoretical and experimental progress aimed at precisely deducing the nature of the complex interplay among size, chemical composition, and electrocatalytic performance in high-quality elemental and bimetallic 1D noble metal nanowire systems. In terms of these structural parameters, significant enhancements in both activity and durability of up to an order of magnitude in the case of Pt–Pd 1– x Au x nanowires, for example, can be achieved by rationally tuning both wire size and composition. The fundamental insights acquired are then utilized to discuss future and potentially radically new directions toward the continuous improvement and optimization of 1D catalysts.