A nanoporous oxide interlayer makes a better Pt catalyst on a metallic substrate: Nanoflowers on a nanotube bed

To improve the contact between platinum catalyst and titanium substrate, a layer of TiO 2 nanotube arrays has been synthesized before depositing Pt nanoflowers by pulse electrodeposition. Dramatic improvements in electrocatalytic activity (3×) and stability (60×) for methanol oxidation were found, suggesting promising applications in direct methanol fuel cells. The 3× and 60× improvements persist for Pt/Pd catalysts used to overcome the CO poisoning problem.