Platinum–titanium intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction with enhanced activity and durability

• Intermetallic Pt–Ti/C was prepared from the commercial Pt/C by a simple process.
• TiO2 coating on the Pt/C provided Ti to Pt lattice and prevented aggregation during annealing.
• Intermetallic structure was characterized by STEM, XRD, and EXAFS analysis.
• Intermetallic Pt–Ti/C catalysts showed enhanced activity and durability compared to the Pt/C.

A facile method to prepare Pt–Ti intermetallic nanoparticles supported on carbon was developed. Starting from a commercial Pt/C catalyst, TiO2 layers were formed on the Pt/C then thermal annealing under a reducing condition successfully produced intermetallic Pt–Ti nanoparticles with an average size of 4.2 nm. The intermetallic Pt–Ti/C showed enhanced activity and durability for oxygen reduction reaction due to the change in electronic structure and less aggregation.

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