Electrodeposition of platinum metal on titanium and anodised titanium from P salt: application to electro-oxidation of glycerol

Pt/Ti and Pt/TiO2 electrodes were made by galvanic deposition of platinum metal from an acid plating bath containing cis-dinitro-diammin-platinum(II) complex (P salt) onto titanium and anodic TiO2 layer on titanium substrates respectively. Titanium oxide nanotubes were fabricated by anodising titanium foil in acid solution. Pt/Ti and Pt/TiO2 electrodes were characterised using electrochemical methods and scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetric analysis of Pt/Ti electrodes in dilute sulphuric acid yields voltammograms with features characteristic of bulk polycrystalline platinum electrodes. In contrast, the voltammograms for Pt/TiO2 electrodes are not quantitatively similar to those for smooth polycrystalline platinum electrodes. Voltammetry in potassium ferricyanide yields reversible voltammograms, indicating the good electrical conductivity of and connectivity between the deposited platinum and substrates and hence the absence of any significant resistive surface oxide film. The electrocatalytic behaviour of this type of electrodes in the glycerol electro-oxidation was studied.