LONG METALLIC NANOWIRES, METHODS OF MAKING, AND USE THEREOF IN PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL

摘要

A method and apparatus for making a metallic nanofiber structure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a first solution including a first material and a second material, wherein the second material includes at least one metal; forming the first solution into composite fibers including the first material and the second material; and removing the first material from the composite fibers under conditions effective to produce a metallic nanofiber structure that includes a plurality of metallic nanofibers. Also disclosed are metallic nanofiber structures prepared according to a process of the present invention, which can be used as fuel cell catalysts. Fuel cells containing electrodes that include these metallic nanofiber structures are also disclosed.