Three-dimensional TiO₂@C nano-network with high porosity as a highly efficient Pt-based catalyst support for methanol electrooxidation

The development of highly active and durable Pt-based catalysts is an important issue for methanol electrooxidation. Research into highly efficient supports provides a feasible method to achieve such catalysts. In this paper, carbon-coated TiO₂ nanowires with a unique three-dimensional network structure are prepared as a Pt-based catalyst support by the carbonization of a resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer. Physical characterization confirms that this unique structure can provide a large specific surface area, high porosity and efficient transport channels. The abundant heterogeneous interfaces between the TiO₂ nanowires and carbon provide numerous Pt loading sites, which greatly improves the utilization of Pt. Strikingly, electrochemical measurements show that the as-prepared catalyst has much better activity and durability than commercial Pt/C for methanol electrooxidation. Furthermore, the single direct methanol fuel cell test demonstrates that the as-prepared catalyst has higher power density and polarization current. We attribute this excellent catalytic performance to the unique nano-network structure, the numerous Pt anchoring sites, and the synergetic effect of the different components.