Highly stable and efficient platinum nanoparticles supported on TiO2@Ru-C: investigations on the promoting effects of the interpenetrated TiO2

Aimed at high Pt utilization efficiency and stability, Pt/TiO 2 @Ru-C electrocatalysts have been prepared by a two-stage modified polyol process, in which ruthenium nanoparticles are dotted on TiO 2 nano-bricks to form TiO 2 @Ru in the first stage, followed by deposition of platinum nanoparticles on either the in-situ formed TiO 2 @Ru or carbon black in the second stage. The electrocatalysts have been characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical surface area of the Pt/TiO 2 @Ru-C is 82.9   m 2   g −1 and remains to as high as 44.8   m 2   g −1 in an accelerated stability test. Catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation reaction of the catalyst in 0.5   M CH 3 OH   +   0.5   M H 2 SO 4 at room temperature is found to be 487   A   g −1 . TiO 2 nano-bricks are wedged in between the interfaces of carbon particles creating interpenetrated TiO 2 -Pt-C network, making them easily accessible to fuel cell reactions. Meanwhile, the interpenetrated TiO 2 prevent the electrocatalyst from agglomeration, leading to high Pt efficiency as well as durability.