Unusual Hollow Al2O3 Nanofibers with Loofah-Like Skins: Intriguing Catalyst Supports for Thermal Stabilization of Pt Nanocrystals

Recently, hollow nanofibers could be fabricated by coaxis electrospinning method or template method. However, they are limited to applications because of the hardship in actual preparation. In this work, hollow gamma-Al2O3 nanofibers with loofah-like skins were first fabricated by using a single spinneret during electrospinning. These intriguing nanofibers were explored as new Pt supports with excellently sinter-resistant performance up to 500 degrees C, attributed to the unique loofah-like surface of gamma-Al2O3 nanofibers and the strong metal support interactions between Pt and gamma-Al2O3. When applied in the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol, the Pt/gamma-Al2O3 calcined at 500 degrees C exhibited 4-times higher reaction rate constant (6.8 s(-1)center dot mg(-1)) over free Pt nanocrystals.