Improved electrocatalytic properties of bundled B/N co-doped electrospun carbon nanofibers with Pt nanostructures through dopant-induced metal-support interaction (DIMSI)

• B/N co-doped CNFs are prepared as carbon supports for Pt NPs. • The synergistic role of B/N towards the dopant-induced metal-support interaction is studied. • Pt/HCNF-III with an optimal ratio of B/N ensures the uniform distribution of Pt NPs with high utilization ratio. • Pt/HCNF-III exhibits significant electrocatalytic activity for ORR, MOR, and HER reactions. The dispersion of platinum nanoparticles over B/N functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is studied using a simple electrospinning technique. The ratio of boron and nitrogen for the uniform and agglomeration-free Pt loading is optimized. Among the prepared electrocatalysts, Pt-loaded CNFs with an equal amount of B and N (Pt/HCNF-III) exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction, methanol oxidation, and hydrogen evolution reactions. Pt/HCNF-III provides a significant ECSA (62.57 m 2 /gm). The Pt/HCNF-III being an efficient ORR electrocatalyst follows a 4-electron pathway and renders high half-wave potential. Moreover, Pt/HCNF-III displays relatively high mass activities of 324.77 and 6.17 A g −1 during MOR and HER, respectively. Pt/HCNF-III also demands a minimal overpotential (54 mV) and Tafel slope (33 mV dec −1 ) during HER. Thus, a unique phenomenon of dopant-induced metal support interaction has enhanced the electrocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity of the prepared electrocatalysts.