Electrocatalytic activity of nanostructured Pt-Ni catalysts deposited on the titania nanotube arrays towards borohydride oxidation

A series of nanostructured Pt(Ni) thin layers with different Pt loadings were prepared on the titania nanotube arrayed surface via galvanic displacement reactions. The surface morphology and composition of the nano-Pt(Ni)/TiO2-nanotubes catalysts were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of these catalysts was evaluated towards the oxidation of BH4- ions by means of cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry. The as-prepared nano-Pt(Ni)/TiO2-nanotubes catalysts exhibited a higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of BH4- ions as compared with that of a pure Pt electrode.