Metal–Support Interactions between Nanosized Pt and Metal Oxides (WO3 and TiO2) Studied Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Platinum nanoparticles have been selectively deposited on composites of titanium oxide-carbon and tungsten oxide-carbon. Selectivity of the deposition made it possible to investigate changes in electronic properties of both platinum and oxide support, induced by the so-called strong metal–support interactions (SMSI). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used, and changes in binding energy of Pt 4f, Ti 2p, and W 4f core-levels and Pt 4f peak asymmetry were determined. These parameters allowed us to state the changes in local electron density, when Pt is deposited on oxide support. In all cases the binding energy of the Pt 4f signal for platinum deposited on an oxide support was significantly lower in comparison to samples where Pt was solely supported onto carbon. The increase in Pt 4f XPS signal asymmetry was observed. This suggests an increased electron density on Pt. No electron donor could be identified from the analysis of the oxide supports. To explain the observed data, at least two effects must be considered: (i) alloy formation between Pt and the oxide support and (ii) partial charge transfer from substrate to Pt, which can be correlated to previously observed increased activity toward oxygen reduction reaction.