Enhancement of ethanol electrooxidation on plasmonic Au/TiO2 nanotube arrays

Novel electrocatalysts Au/TiO2 nanotube arrays (Au/TiO2NTs) were prepared by loading low-content(1.9 at.%) of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2NTs). Ethanol electrooxidation indicates that visible-light (λ > 400 nm) irradiation can significantly enhance the activity as well as resistpoisoning of Au/TiO2NTs electrocatalysts that are activated by plasmon resonance. Au/TiO2NTs catalysts calcinated at 300 °C display the highest performance due to the strong synergistic interactions between TiO2 and Au NPs. The combination of visible-light irradiation with a controllable potential offers a new strategyfor enhancing the performance of anodes in direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC).

► Electrocatalyst Au/TiO2 nanotube array was prepared to ethanol electrooxidation.
► Visible-light irradiation greatly improves activity and resist-poisoning of sample.
► Au/TiO2 nanotube arrays calcinated at 300 °C displayed highest performance.