TiO2@carbon core–shell nanostructure supports for platinum and their use for methanol electrooxidation

Nanostructures consisting of TiO2 particles as a core and carbon as a shell (TiO2@C) were prepared by heat treatment of TiO2 nanoparticles at 700 or 900 °C in a methane atmosphere. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that a carbon shell layer was formed whose thickness increased with increasing reaction temperature. These structures were used as supports for platinum nanoparticles and the hybrid particles exhibit improved catalytic activity and stability toward methanol electrooxidation compared to Pt on a carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R). It is likely that enhanced catalytic properties of the Pt on TiO2@C could be due to the stability of the core–shell support in comparison with carbon black support.