A simple fabrication process of Pt-TiO_2 hybrid electrode for photo-assisted methanol fuel cells

摘要

This study proposes a simple photo-deposition process to prepare Pt-TiO_2 hybrid electrodes. Various morphologies of platinum were successfully coated on titanium oxide by introducing ethylene glycol as a reducing agent in the photo-deposition process. A comparative study on UV boosted methanol oxidation was conducted among the prepared electrodes decorated with Pt thin film, dispersive Pt nanopar-ticles (NPs), and aggregated Pt NPs coated on TiO_2. In a methanol oxidation test, the strongest current enhancements (approximately 4856 under 100 W illumination and 9% under 4W illumination) were found on the electrodes with highly dispersive Pt NPs coated TiO_2. The morphology-dependent UV enhancement phenomenon was also investigated and further verified under low power UV illumination. Current results suggest that a Pt-TiCO_2 junction with dispersive Pt NPs on TiO_2 NPs can reduce the shielding of illuminated lights, and greatly enhance the efficiency of photo-assisted fuel cells.