Platinum nanoparticles were selectively deposited on titania via a facile photochemical method. The anatase-type TiO(2) nanostructure, prepared by sot-gel, is in intimate contact with the carbon (Vulcan XC-72) used as supporting material. The structural studies via XRD in the as prepared and heat-treated samples were evaluated and compared to the substrate without oxide. The lattice constant of platinum was found 0.6% less than the value in the bulk. This observation is accompanied by high internal strains, which are not present on the Pt/C system. A healing of such defects is achieved by the thermal treatment. The consequence of such observations is discussed in terms of a strong-metal nanoparticle oxide interaction, which is favorable for electrocatalysis. These studies suggest that Pt-TiO(2)-C might serve as an element of response to lower the amount of utilized platinum in low temperature H(2)/O(2) fuel cells cathodes. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
