Ultra-long Pt nanolawns supported on TiO(2)-coated carbon fibers as 3D hybrid catalyst for methanol oxidation

In this study, TiO(2) thin film photocatalyst on carbon fibers was used to synthesize ultra-long single crystalline Pt nanowires via a simple photoreduction route (thermally activated photoreduction). It also acted as a co-catalytic material with Pt. Taking advantage of the high-aspect ratio of the Pt nanostructure as well as the excellent catalytic activity of TiO(2), this hybrid structure has the great potential as the active anode in direct methanol fuel cells. The electrochemical results indicate that TiO(2) is capable of transforming CO-like poisoning species on the Pt surface during methanol oxidation and contributes to a high CO tolerance of this Pt nanowire/TiO(2) hybrid structure.