Self-organized nanotubular TiO2 matrix as support for dispersed Pt/Ru nanoparticles: Enhancement of the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

We explore oxidative electrocatalytic properties of a system consisting of bimetallic Pt/Ru nanoparticles dispersed over a nanotubular self-organized TiO2 matrix. The nanotubular TiO2 layers consist of individual tubes of 100 nm diameter, 500 nm length and 15 nm wall thickness. This nanotubular TiO2 support provides a high surface area and it significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity of Pt/Ru for methanol oxidation (relative to the performance of Pt/Ru at the same loading but immobilized on a conventional compact TiO2 support). Annealed to anatase, the TiO2 nanotubular support exhibits even higher enhancement effect during electrooxidation of methanol than when used in the “as-formed” amorphous structure. The overall electrocatalytic activity of the system can be further increased by illumination with UV-light (wavelength 325 nm).