Functionalization of electrochemically prepared titania nanotubes with Pt for application as catalyst for fuel cells

Titania nanotubes (TiNTs) were prepared by electrochemical anodization and were used as a support for depositing Pt. After annealing the TiNTs changed to crystalline anatase phase and were doped with carbon. The TiNTs/Pt/C was tested as electrode for electrochemical catalysis of methanol oxidation. The composite catalyst activities were measured by cyclic voltammetry in 1 M CH₃OH + 1 M H₂SO₄. The results demonstrated that TiNTs/Pt/C can greatly enhance the catalytic activity of methanol oxidation. The CO stripping led to the increase in the current peak of methanol oxidation due to activating the catalyst surface by point defect formation. Moreover, the higher ratio of the forward anodic peak current to the reverse anodic peak current indicates more effective removal of the poisonous species.