Evaluation of the Performance of Platinum Nanoparticle–Titanium Oxide Nanotubes as a New Refreshable Electrode for Formic Acid Electro‐oxidation

Abstract

Abstract Platinum nanoparticles (Pt‐NP) are deposited on the surface of titanium oxide nanotubes (TN) by microemulsion method. Highly ordered TN on a pure titanium substrate are successfully fabricated by anodizing of titanium. The morphology and surface analysis of Pt‐NP/TN electrodes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, respectively. The electro‐oxidation of formic acid on Pt‐NP/TN electrodes in acidic medium was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods. The results showed that the oxidation peak currents on the Pt‐NP/TN electrode for formic acid oxidation are several times larger than a smooth platinum electrode and confirmed the better electro‐catalytic activity and stability of these new electrodes. The photocatalytic properties of titanium oxide make the Pt‐NP/TN electrode reusable after a short UV treatment, and the electro‐oxidation current density of Pt‐NP/TN electrode after UV‐cleaning can be re‐established. So Pt‐NP/TN electrode has a good application potential to fuel cells.

Key findings

• ▸The Pt-NP/TN electrode shows several times larger oxidation peak currents for formic acid oxidation compared to a smooth platinum electrode.
• ▸The Pt-NP/TN electrode exhibits better electro-catalytic activity and stability.
• ▸The electrode can be reused after UV treatment, with re-established electro-oxidation current density.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1002/fuce.201100173

Journal

Fuel Cells

Year

2012