Investigation on C–TiO2 nanotubes composite as Pt catalyst support for methanol electrooxidation

•A convenient approach to prepared Pt/C–TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) via a microwave-assisted polyol process.•Carbon-coated TNTs possess three-phase position which is conducive to deposit Pt nanoparticles.•The higher electronic conductivity of TNTs is more beneficial to exhibit performance of platinum.•The enhanced activity and stability of Pt/C–TNTs is attributed to the combination of carbon and TNTs.

In this paper, Pt nanoparticles have been successfully deposited on the mixture of carbon black and one-dimensional self-ordered TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) array by a microwave-assisted polyol process to synthesize Pt/C–TNTs catalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) are used instead of TNTs to prepare catalyst as a reference. The obtained samples are characterized by physical characterization and electrochemical measurements. The results show that Pt nanoparticles are uniformly deposited on the three-phase interfaces between carbon and TNTs. The Pt/C–TNTs possesses substantially enhanced activity and stability in electrochemical performance. Such remarkable properties are due to the excellent composite carrier of C–TNTs: (1) TNTs has strong corrosion resistance in acidic and oxidative environment and a metal support interaction between Pt and TNTs; (2) Compared to TNPs, TNTs is more suitable for electro-catalytic field on account of its better electronic conductivity; (3) Compared to TNPs, TNTs can improve the anti-poisoning ability of catalyst for methanol oxidation. (4) Amorphous carbon can improve the dispersion of platinum particles; (5) The distribution of carbon improves the poor conductivity of TNTs. These studies indicate that Pt/C–TNTs compound is a promising catalyst for methanol electrooxidation.

Graphical abstractPt nanoparticles have been successfully deposited on the mixture of carbon black and one-dimensional self-ordered TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) array by a microwave-assisted polyol process to synthesize Pt/C–TNTs catalyst. The Pt nanoparticles deposited on the three-phase positions between carbon and TNTs exhibit the improved activity and stability, which is attributed to the combination of the advantage of carbon and TNTs.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide