Si3N4 whiskers modified with titanium as stable Pt electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction

Abstract

Ti-modified Si₃N₄ (Ti/Si₃N₄) whiskers were modified with titanium by a one-pot deposition method in a vacuum. Pt electrocatalysts supported on Ti/Si₃N₄ (Pt–Ti/Si₃N₄) were fabricated using a microwave-assisted reduction method. A Ti coating was formed on the surface of Si₃N₄ and strongly bonded with Si₃N₄ with the assistance of TiN_x and Ti₅Si₃. In this paper, the Pt–Ti/Si₃N₄ electrocatalysts demonstrated outstanding electrochemical stability and excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions compared to the Pt supported on pristine Si₃N₄.