Metal–carbon interaction in metal nanoparticles and implication in the electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction

Electronic metal–carbon interaction plays a fundamental role in tuning the electrocatalytic behaviour of the metal active phase. The basis of the metal–carbon interaction is the presence of topological and structural defects as well as heteroatom functional groups such as nitrogen or sulphur that breaking the perfect symmetry of a graphene layer, provide preferential nucleation and growth sites for metal nanoparticles and single metal site. As will be shown, the interaction with the carbon support makes it possible to improve the size and dispersion of the particles as well as their reactivity by direct modulation of the electronic properties or by the introduction of interatomic strain. This is translated in an increased reactivity in electrocatalytic reaction as well as in an improved stability since sintering and leaching of metal NPs is hindered by the anchoring effect of the support. In addition, way for measuring and monitoring of metal–carbon interaction will be discussed. Finally, examples and perspectives on utilizing metal support interaction in electrocatalysis field and on O2 reduction reaction in particular will be given and discussed.