Electrochemically Stable Titanium Oxy-Nitride Support for Platinum Electro-Catalyst for PEM Fuel Cell Applications

Titanium Oxy-Nitride is prepared by an in-situ urea-based sol-gel method as a support for the platinum electro-catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). XRD, BET, SEM and EDX are used to analyze the physicochemical properties of the prepared Pt/TiON catalyst; and its electrochemical properties are evaluated by CV and RDE tests. Electrochemical active surface area is determined and compared to that of the commercial Pt/C electro-catalyst. Pt/TiON electro-catalyst showed a better electrochemical stability than those of the commercial Pt/C electro-catalyst. It is also found that the ORR proceeds via four electron transfer mechanism on both Pt/C and Pt/TiON electro-catalysts.