Enhanced formic acid electro-oxidation reaction over Ir,N-doped TiO2-supported Pt nanocatalyst

In this work, we prepared an Ir,N-doped TiO2 nanomaterial via a facile HNO3-assisted hydrothermal process that was used as an advanced support for nano-sized Pt nanoparticles (NPs) for the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). The physical and electrochemical behaviours of the as-made Pt/Ir,N-doped TiO2 catalyst were systemically investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopes coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (FE-SEM/EDX mapping), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel slope, CO-stripping, and chronoamperometric (CA) test. The Pt NPs (ca. 3 nm) were anchored on the Ir,N-doped TiO2 support, being formed by a mixture of rutile and brookite with a particle size of several ten nanometers. Due to the small size and uniform distribution of Pt NPs, the Pt/Ir,N-doped TiO2 catalyst had an electrochemical surface area of 79.88 m2 g−1, which was greater than that of the commercial Pt/C (77.63 m2 g−1). In terms of the FAOR, the Pt/Ir,N-doped TiO2 catalyst showed a negative FAOR onset potential, high current density (11.85 mA cm−2), and superior CO-tolerance compared to the commercially available catalyst. Also, the as-made catalyst possessed high electrochemical durability after 3600 s for testing. The enhanced FAOR efficiency was assigned to the formation of a dual-doping effect and strong interplay between Pt and TiO2-based support, which not only improved the electron transfer but also weakened the adsorption of carbonaceous species, thereby boosting the reaction kinetics. This study could open up a facile but effective strategy to promote particular electrochemical applications.