Pt hierarchical structure catalysts on BaTiO3/Ti electrode for methanol and ethanol electrooxidations

Electrooxidations of methanol and ethanol have been investigated on different Pt catalytic titanium-supported electrodes in both acidic and alkaline media using cyclic voltammetry. BaTiO3 is used for the first time to make a nanoscaled roughness on the surface of Ti foil in order to effectively deposit Pt hierarchical structure and block foulness in solution reactions. The morphology of BaTiO3 nanocube on Ti foil, Pt catalysts deposited on BaTiO3/Ti and Ti foil electrodes are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that Pt nanoflowers can be effectively grown on the Ti foil covered with 1 μm layer of BaTiO3 nanocubes and the catalytic oxidation behaviors to methanol and ethanol are much better than those of the Pt/Ti electrode as Pt nanoparticles can hardly be deposited on the smooth surface of the Ti foil. The Pt/BaTiO3/Ti electrode could be adopted as excellent catalytic anode in fuel cells.