Platinum nanoparticles supported on epitaxial TiC/nanodiamond as an electrocatalyst with enhanced durability for fuel cells

An epitaxial TiC/nanodiamond (ND) was used as novel support for Pt electrocatalysts to improve its durability in fuel cells. The TiC/ND was fabricated by a simple one-pot synthesis method. TiC/ND-supported Pt electrocatalysts were synthesized using a microwave-assisted ethylene glycol method. Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean size of 4.4 nm were highly dispersed on the TiC/ND's surface. The Pt/TiC/ND catalyst exhibited much higher electrocatalytic activity and stability in methanol oxidation reactions and oxygen reduction reactions than the Pt/ND catalyst. The electrochemical stability of the Pt/TiC/ND catalyst is more outstanding compared with the conventional carbon black supported Pt catalysts. The superior durability can be attributed to the chemical stability of ND core and the anchoring effect of the TiC layer to Pt NPs.