Improved photo-catalytic activity of single-crystalline TiO2 nanowires surrounded by Pt cube nanoparticles

We report improved photo-catalytic properties of single-crystalline TiO2 nanowires surrounded by Pt cubes for methanol electrooxidation under UV illumination. The TiO2–Pt consists of single-crystalline TiO2 nanowires grown along [0 0 1] direction and Pt cube nanoparticles with dominantly exposed {1 0 0} facets confirmed by transmission electron microscopy images and fast Fourier transform patterns. The nanostructure electrode consisting of TiO2 nanowires and Pt cubes exhibits a remarkably improved performance for methanol electrooxidation in acid solution as compared to that of TiO2 nanowires.