Aiming at a better understanding of metal-support interactions in oxide supported Pt electrocatalysts, we have prepared and characterized planar Pt/TiO2 model catalyst electrodes, which combine high conductivity and direct Pt-TiO2 interactions. These consist of a thin TiO2 film on a glassy carbon (GC) substrate and Pt nanoparticles on top. TiO2 films were deposited via a potential induced sol-gel process and subsequently functionalized by Pt nanoparticles, by electrochemical Pt deposition, by deposition of pre-formed Pt nanoparticles or by photo-assisted local reduction of Pt ions. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed for structural and electronic characterization of the model catalyst electrodes, cyclic voltammetry, electrooxidation of pre-adsorbed CO and O2 reduction for evaluating their electrochemical / electrocatalytic properties. The impact of the Pt deposition method, of particle size effects and of metal-support interactions on the electrochemical properties and the catalytic activity / selectivity of these systems is discussed.
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