Electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in acid media on titanium nitride supported fuel cell catalysts

In the present study, titanium nitride, TIN that possesses good electronic conductivity, high corrosion resistance combined with the ability to support metallic particles, has been used to anchor Pt catalysts and subsequently used for ethanol oxidation. Platinum deposited on TiN (Pt-TiN) surface is contrasted with the conventional support material, Vulcan carbon for the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in acidic medium. Though the comparison is not straight forward due to different morphology/particle size of the Pt catalyst on the two supports, the present investigations reveal that the TIN support lead to surface Ti-OH type functional groups that help in reducing the accumulation of carbon monoxide on the catalyst surface. The Tafel slopes are similar but the exchange current density on Pt-TiN is approximately twice that of the value observed on Pt-C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data support the long term stability and electrocatalytic activity of Pt-TiN electrocatalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.