Platinum-catalyzed Nb-doped TiO2 and Nb-doped TiO2 nanotubes for hydrogen generation in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

This paper studies the catalytic activity of Pt deposited onto Nb-doped titania supports toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). New catalysts based on Nb-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (nNb-TiO2) and Nb-doped TiO2 nanotubes (nNb-TNTs), with n in the range 3-10 at % (Nb+Ti), were synthesized. The sp...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alcaide Monterrubio, Francisco, Genova-Koleva, Radostina Vasileva, Álvarez, Garbiñe, Grande, Hans-Jürgen, Miguel, Óscar, Cabot Julià, Pere-Lluís
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/170100
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/170100
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Hidrogen
Nanotubs
Hydrogen
Nanotubes
Descripción
Sumario:This paper studies the catalytic activity of Pt deposited onto Nb-doped titania supports toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). New catalysts based on Nb-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (nNb-TiO2) and Nb-doped TiO2 nanotubes (nNb-TNTs), with n in the range 3-10 at % (Nb+Ti), were synthesized. The specific surface areas of nNb-TNTs were 250−300 m2g-1, about three times higher than those of nNb-TiO2. X-ray diffraction showed the Nb incorporation into the TiO2 lattice with its consequent lattice expansion. The X-ray photoelectron spectra of Pt deposited onto Nb-doped titania revealed a negative charge accumulation on Pt, thus denoting strong metal-support interaction. The electrochemical characterization in acidic media showed that Pt supported on nNb-TiO2 and nNb-TNTs presented better activity towards the HER than that of Pt deposited onto the un-doped supports and commercial Pt on carbon. The best performance was obtained with a small Nb doping of 3 at %.