Synthesis and Characterization of Graphite Oxide Derived TiO2-Carbon Composites as Potential Electrocatalyst Supports

TiO2-C (carbon) hybrid materials are promising electrocatalyst supports because the presence of TiO2 results in enhanced stability. Use new types carbonaceous such as reduced graphene oxide instead traditional active carbon provides certain benefits. Although rutile polymorph seems to have most beneficial properties these materials, anatase type is more frequent TiO2-rGO composites, especially graphite (GO) derived ones, GO has several which may interfere with formation. To explore and evaluate peculiarities their influence on composite formation, we compared systems formulated Black Pearls (BP) carbon. Various physicochemical methods, attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR)-, solid state NMR-, Raman- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, etc. were used characterize samples from different stages our multistep sol–gel synthesis. Our experiments demonstrated that utilization indeed feasible for preparation, although its sodium contamination be removed during On other hand, high temperature treatment and/or solvothermal synthesis resulted decomposition functional groups final product similar case both composites. However, Pt/TiO2-GO sample showed higher oxygen reduction reaction activity than Pt/TiO2-BP one. Based decrease electrochemical surface area, stability order was following: Pt/C (commercial) < C C.