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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
Published on: April 27, 2018
Oxygen vacancy induced interaction between Pt and TiO2 to improve the oxygen reduction performance
Ziyu Wang1, Xuekun Jin2, Fengjuan Chen1
1Key Laboratory of Solid State Physics and Devices Autonomous Region, School of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, PR China; Key Laboratory of Energy Materials Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Institute of Applied Chemistry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China.
This study introduces a novel composite material, titanium dioxide and carbon black with oxygen vacancies (TiO2(OV)-C), as a support for platinum nanoparticles in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. This innovation enhances catalyst activity and durability, addressing key challenges in fuel cell technology.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Platinum-based catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) suffer from limited activity and durability, hindering commercialization.
- Developing advanced catalyst supports is crucial for improving PEMFC performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a functional support, titanium dioxide and carbon black containing oxygen vacancies (TiO2(OV)-C), for loading platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs).
- To elucidate the role of oxygen vacancies in enhancing the interaction between Pt and the support, thereby improving catalyst performance.
- To assess the impact of this interaction on the activity and stability of Pt catalysts for alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a composite material: TiO2(OV)-C support.
- Loading of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) onto the TiO2(OV)-C support.
- Electrochemical characterization including half-wave potential (E1/2), mass activity (MA), and specific activity (SA) measurements.
- Long-term durability testing.
- Surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
- Theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT).
Main Results:
- Pt/TiO2(OV)-C exhibited an enhanced half-wave potential (0.862 V) compared to Pt/C (0.842 V) and Pt/TiO2-C (0.841 V).
- The catalyst demonstrated excellent durability, with only a 5 mV attenuation in E1/2 after long-term testing.
- Mass activity and specific activity showed improved stability, with only a 21% and 17% decrease, respectively.
- XPS and DFT calculations revealed that the interaction between Pt and TiO2, induced by oxygen vacancies, optimizes Pt's local charge density and promotes the desorption of intermediates (*OH).
Conclusions:
- Oxygen vacancies (OV) play a critical role in inducing the interaction between Pt and TiO2, strengthening Pt fixation and optimizing its electronic properties.
- The enhanced Pt-TiO2 interaction significantly improves the activity and durability of Pt catalysts for alkaline ORR.
- This study offers a promising strategy for designing advanced multiphase catalysts for fuel cell applications.
