Novel, Highly Conductive Pt/TiO₂ Thin‐Film Model Catalyst Electrodes: The Role of Metal–Support Interactions

Abstract

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.

On the Origin of the Enhanced Performance of Pt/Dendrite‐like Mn3O4 for Methanol Electrooxidation

“…[6] Accordingly, fabricating low-cost electrocatalytic materials with high activity and improved tolerance to CO ads poisoning is quite urgent for DMFCs' commercialization. [13][14][15][16][17][18] One representative is Mn 3 O 4 , which has been used as support for catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction, [19][20][21] alcohol or methanol oxidation reaction. Catalytic reaction is merely sensitive to surface atoms' composition, structure, defect and chemical state, so depositing nanosized catalyst on support or core can use as little amount of catalyst as possible to get as much active area and good catalytic effect as we can.…”

From Moldy Orange Waste to Natural Reductant and Catalyst Support: Active Palladium/Biomass‐Derived Carbonaceous Hybrids for Promoted Methanol Electro‐Oxidation

“…On the other hand, low‐cost, easy‐handling, and scalable synthesis of nanomaterials is of great significance for their practical applications. For noble metal catalysts, the active metal is often supported by an inert substrate, because this architecture is able to provide large surface area, acceptable stability, and programmable metal‐support interactions partially or completely . In the traditional fabrication of supported catalysts, inactive substrates like activated carbon (AC) are first impregnated in a solution containing the metal precursor, and then chemical reductants (e. g., NaBH 4 ) are added to reduce the metal precursor.…”