Open AccessPlatinum Sputtered on Nb-doped TiO2 Films Prepared by ALD: Highly Active and Durable Carbon-free ORR Electrocatalyst
Author(s) -
Sajid Hussain,
Heiki Erikson,
Nadežda Kongi,
Aivar Tarre,
Peeter Ritslaid,
Arvo Kikas,
Vambola Kisand,
Jekaterina Kozlova,
Jaan Aarik,
Aile Tamm,
Väinö Sammelselg,
Kaido Tammeveski
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the electrochemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1945-7111
pISSN - 0013-4651
DOI - 10.1149/1945-7111/abcbb4
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , cyclic voltammetry , platinum , catalysis , scanning electron microscope , glassy carbon , titanium , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , carbon fibers , oxide , inorganic chemistry , electrode , nuclear chemistry , metallurgy , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , engineering
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability of Pt nanoparticles sputtered on Nb-doped TiO 2 coated glassy carbon and titanium electrodes were investigated. The Nb-TiO 2 thin-film coatings were deposited by atomic layer deposition. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis revealed a uniform coating of the electrode substrates with doped-metal oxide. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of Nb, Ti, and Pt metals on the electrode surface. Electrochemical characterization of the prepared catalysts was performed by cyclic voltammetry and CO stripping experiments in 0.05 M H 2 SO 4 solution. The Pt/Nb-TiO 2 catalyst showed remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR at a very low Pt loading of 8.6 μ g cm −2 . The accelerated durability test confirmed that Pt/Nb-TiO 2 catalyst was more durable than the commercial Pt/C (20 wt.%). More importantly, the prepared Pt/Nb-TiO 2 electrocatalyst showed a considerable increase in the electrochemically active surface area as well as the ORR activity after the durability test.