The kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) was studied at Pt
nanoparticles supported on niobia-doped titania (Pt/N-T). The catalyst
support, with the composition of 0.05NbO2.5-?-0.995TiO2 (0<?<1), was
synthesized by a modified sol-gel procedure and characterized by the BET and
X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The specific surface area of the support
was found to be 70 m2 g-1. The XRD analysis revealed the presence of the
anatase TiO2 phase in the support powder. No peaks indicating the existence
of Nb-compounds were detected. Pt/N-T nanocatalyst was synthesized by the
borohydride reduction method. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a
quite homogenous distribution of the Pt nanoparticles over the support, with
a mean particle size of about 3 nm. The electrochemical active surface area
of Pt of 42?4 m2 g-1 was determined by the cyclic voltammetry technique. The
kinetics of the HOR was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry at a
rotating disc electrode in 0.5 mol dm-3 HClO4 solution. The determined value
of the Tafel slope of 35 mV dec-1 and an exchange current density of 0.45 mA
cm-2 per real surface area of the Pt are in good accordance with those
already reported in the literature for the HOR at polycrystalline Pt and Pt
nanocatalysts in acid solutions. This new catalyst exhibited better activity
for the HOR in comparison with Pt nanocatalyst supported on Vulcan? XC-72R
high area carbon.