Novel core-shell Pt/WC@TiO2 electro-catalyst for methanol oxidation

In this paper, we successfully synthesized novel core-shell structure Pt/WC@TiO2 microspheres. This structure was confirmed by physical characterization, and the catalyst was further investigated by electrochemical measurements. It was found that Pt/WC@TiO2 catalyst had a higher methanol oxidation performance, better stability and enhanced CO-tolerance in the electro-oxidation process compared with Pt/WC/TiO2. We believe that these phenomena were caused by the special TiO2-core and WC-shell structure. Primarily, core-shell structure Pt/WC@TiO2 can hinder the aggregation of WC and provides more contact surface to insure effective interaction between WC and Pt. Furthermore, this structure greatly increases TiO2-WC-Pt triple interface, which strengthens the synergistic effects among these TiO2-WC-Pt parts. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.