Novel anodes for fuel cell using nanostructured tungsten and titanium based electrocatalysts

Nano-structured Pt–WO3/C, Pt–WO3–TiO2/C and Pt/C catalysts are synthesized by chemical reduction method using sodium borohydride as reducing agent. The catalysts thus prepared are characterized and compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst. The electrochemical performances are characterized by single cell test evaluation, long term stability test and cyclic voltammetry measurement. The chemical compositions, physical and morphological characterizations are investigated by various techniques such X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis shows that, all prepared catalysts exhibited face-centered cubic structures. XRD results confirm that, the Pt–WO3/C and Pt–WO3–TiO2/C catalysts are smaller in particle size and larger in surface area calculated from line broadening. The amount of Pt reduced from1.76 mg cm−2 (10% Pt/C) to 1.056 mg cm−2 and 0.704 mg cm−2 in the case of Pt–WO3/C and Pt–WO3–TiO2/C respectively. Both the tungstate and titanate based electrocatalysts have exhibited higher performance in single cell tests than lone Pt catalysts.

► The novel method of inclusion of WO3 and TiO2 into Platinum particles.
► The metal oxide provides an internal humidification to retain water.
► Particle size of prepared electrocatalysts is 2–3 nm.