Titanium hydride—a stable support for Pt catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction

A new class of conductive and dimensionally stable surface-modified TiH₂ particles prepared by ultra-sonication method is proposed as a non-carbon support for Pt catalysts. Thermal analysis results indicated good thermal stability of these materials at high temperatures in oxygen atmosphere. TiH₂ particles are discovered to be stable at potentials higher than 1.5 V in O₂-saturated H₂SO₄ solution. It is also found that the surface-modified TiH₂ exhibits a modest electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction. Accelerated durability measurements show that Pt catalysts supported on sonicated TiH₂ exhibited superior stability than standard Vulcan XC-72 carbon. High corrosion resistance and thermal stability render better chemical stability and structural integrity to surface-modified TiH₂ particles at elevated temperatures.