Role of Au-TiO2 interfacial sites in enhancing the electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation performance

In this study, an atomically controlled thin TiO2 layer was coated on Au/C by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The resulting TiO2 coated Au/C (ALD(TiO2)-Au/C) was used as a catalyst for electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation in alkaline media. Interactions between Au and TiO2 in the ALD(TiO2)-Au/C catalyst improved the catalytic activity and stability for glycerol oxidation. Additionally, the reaction pathway for glycerol oxidation changes due to the Au-TiO2 interfaces formed by ALD. This performance enhancement of electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation on ALD(TiO2)-Au/C is attributed to the role of TiO2 in facilitating oxidation of the Au surface.