Nb-TiO2 supported Pt cathode catalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

The Nb-doped TiO2 nanostructure (Nb-TiO2) was prepared as a support of metal catalyst in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Using the Nb-TiO2 nanostructure support, we prepared the Nb-TiO2 supported catalyst. The Nb-TiO2 supported Pt catalyst (Pt/Nb-TiO2) showed the well dispersion of Pt catalysts (∼3 nm) on the Nb-TiO2 nanostructure supports (∼10 nm). The Pt/Nb-TiO2 showed an excellent catalytic activity for oxygen reduction compared with carbon supported Pt cathode catalyst. The enhanced catalytic activity of Pt/Nb-TiO2 in electrochemical half cell measurement may be mainly due to well dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on Nb-TiO2 nanosized supports. In addition, from XANES spectra of Pt L edge obtained with the supported catalysts, the improved catalytic activity of Pt/Nb-TiO2 for oxygen reduction may be caused by an interaction between oxide support and metal catalyst.