Photodeposition of Pt nanoparticles on TiO2–carbon xerogel composites

Carbon xerogels synthesized from polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde, having specific surface areas in the range 650 to 990 m2 g−1 and variable degrees of surface oxidation, are used to prepare TiO2–carbon xerogel composites by sol–gel methods. These composite materials are used to support Pt nanoparticles (5 wt.%) by the photodeposition technique. After a high temperature reduction treatment at 773 K, the obtained materials were characterized in order to assess the interactions between the phases Pt, TiO2 and carbon xerogel. It is observed that the carbon xerogel acts as an adhesive agent of the TiO2 and Pt particles, enhancing the interaction between the metal and the composite support.

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► TiO2–carbon xerogel composites are successfully prepared by sol–gel methods.
► Pt nanoparticles are efficiently photodeposited over the composites.
► Carbon xerogel acts as an adhesive agent between the TiO2 and Pt particles.
► Carbon xerogel enhances the metal/support interaction and reduces Pt particle size.