Carbon-coated anatase TiO₂ nanocomposite as a high-performance electrocatalyst support

The synthesis of carbon-coated TiO₂ (CCT) in a single step by using a single-component precursor was presented. Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles were supported on a carbon-coated anatase titania nanocomposite by a microwave-assisted reduction procedure. The stabilization of Pt nanoparticles was achieved through interfacial interaction with the carbon-shell layers. An aqueous solution of hydrogen hexachloroplatinate was mixed with ethylene glycol for Pt deposition and the mixture was transferred to a microwave reactor operating at a temperature of 280°C. The HRTEM images and EDX of the CCT revealed that the surface of TiO₂ is covered with carbon layers and that the Pt nanoparticles were deposited on these layers. The results show that the electrolytic oxidation of methanol occurs with high performance and stability when using a low level of Pt loaded on a composite CCT core-shell support.