Carbon-coated Single-phase Ti4O7 Nanoparticles as Electrocatalyst Support

Christina Wahyu Kartikowati (Universitas Brawijaya)
Aditya Farhan Arif (PT. Rekayasa Industri)
Osi Arutanti (Indonesian Institut of Science)
Takashi Ogi (Hiroshima University)

Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology
Vol 6, No 1 (2021): IJOST: VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1, April 2021

The unique structure of Magnéli phases TiOx renders them effective for the electrochemical applications. This work demonstrates a synthesis of carbon-coated Magnéli phases TiOx (TiOx@C) nanoparticles from 3-aminophenol and rutile titania (TiO2) nanoparticles as a support for platinum (Pt) electrocatalyst. 3-aminophenol was polymerized and carbonized on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles respectively in a microwave hydrothermal reactor and a tubular furnace. Reduction of the carbon-coated TiO2 (TiO2@C) into TiOx@C was performed in hydrogen atmosphere at 800-1050 °C. The carbon coating effectively prevented TiO2 nanoparticles from sintering, resulted in TiOx@C sizes from 50 to 100 nm. Single-phase Ti4O7 core, which has the highest theoretical electrical conductivity among the Magnéli phases, was obtained from reduction of TiO2@C at 1000 °C. for 10 min C/Ti4O7-supported Pt exhibited an electrochemical surface area of 46 m2 mgPt-1 at 15% Pt loading, slightly higher than that reported for commercial TKK electrocatalyst with 20% Pt loading (44.13 m2 mgPt-1).