Probing metal substrate interaction of Pt nanoparticles: Structural XRD analysis and oxygen reduction reaction Original Research Article

Platinum nanoparticles were selectively deposited on titania via a facile photochemical method. The anatase-type TiO2 nanostructure, prepared by sol-gel, is in intimate contact with the carbon (Vulcan XC-72) used as supporting material. The structural studies via XRD in the as prepared and heat-treated samples were evaluated and compared to the substrate without oxide. The lattice constant of platinum was found 0.6% less than the value in the bulk. This observation is accompanied by high internal strains, which are not present on the Pt/C system. A healing of such defects is achieved by the thermal treatment. The consequence of such observations is discussed in terms of a strong-metal nanoparticle oxide interaction, which is favorable for electrocatalysis. These studies suggest that Pt–TiO2–C might serve as an element of response to lower the amount of utilized platinum in low temperature H2/O2 fuel cells cathodes.