Preparation of Pt catalysts decorated TiO2 nanotube arrays by redox replacement of Ni precursors for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

With Ni as the precursor, by using pulse electrodeposition technique, Pt nanoparticles were synthesized and deposited onto the high aspect ratio TiO2 nanotube arrays support for fuel cells. The influence of pulse electrodeposition parameters on the morphology of Ni nanoparticles was investigated, and the prepared Ni nanoparticles with diameter of about 30 nm were advantageous to the deposition and dispersion of Pt catalysts within TiO2 nanotubes support. The modified electrode exhibited high activity at half cell test. Furthermore, the electrochemical surface area of this electrode had reduced by 28% after an accelerated durability test compared to 57% for commercial Pt/C (JM). In this work, a TiO2 nanotube arrays as catalyst support in was tested under single cell test condition. The maximum power density reached 557 mW cm−2 when this novel electrode was used as the anode of fuel cells.