Photo(UV)-enhanced performance of Pt-TiO2 nanostructure electrode for methanol oxidation

We report an improved performance of Pt-TiO2 nanostructure electrode for methanol oxidation in methanol fuel cells. The nanostructure electrode consisting of Pt nanophases and a titanium oxide matrix was fabricated by means of co-sputtering deposition method. The electrode showed a remarkably enhanced performance for methanol oxidation under UV illumination compared to that without UV illumination. Such a remarkably improved performance of the Pt-TiO2 electrode might be due to the enhanced methanol oxidation by photo-generated holes in the TiO2 under UV illumination. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.