Electro-catalytic coatings formed by ion-assisted deposition with rare-earth metals and platinum on titanium
The formation of electrocatalytic coatings was carried out by ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) with the use of ions of deposited metal as assisting ones. The composition of the coatings and electrocatalytic activity of the titanium electrodes with the coatings, formed by successive deposition of one in rare earth metals (Gd, Dy) and platinum, in the reactions of electrochemical methanol and ethanol oxidation have been investigated. It was determined that catalytic activity of the formed coatings exceeds activity of platinum in several times at relative content of modifying metals approximately about several atomic percents in the coatings. Considerable increase of activity of electrodes with investigated coatings is achieved in the case of increasing of relative content of platinum atoms in near-surface layer. Suggested method is perspective for coatings formation in the field of development and creation of new electrode materials for devices of hydrogen power, particularly for direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells.