Titanium–tantalum oxide as a support for Pd nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline electrolytes

Abstract

We report a facile synthetic method for the preparation of titanium–tantalum oxide by means of a modified Adam’s method. This new method allowed obtaining Ti0.8Ta0.2O2 with a high surface area (234 m2 g−1), to be used as catalyst support for Pd nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry measurements confirm the noticeable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities of the Pd/Ti0.8Ta0.2O2 electrocatalyst in alkaline electrolytes, along with a high-selectivity towards a 4e− pathway. The good ORR performance for the Pd/Ti0.8Ta0.2O2 could arise from both the strong metal-support interaction and the contribution of the Ti0.8Ta0.2O2 in facilitating the ORR process, acting as co-catalyst. However, the stability of this catalyst seems insufficient for practical applications.