| abstract |
A catalyst support material comprising TiO 2 , and optionally being doped with a transition metal element, and a method for synthesizing the same have been developed. The catalyst support material exhibits an electrical conductivity comparable to widely-used carbon materials. This is because the TiO 2 present is primarily arranged in its rutile crystalline phase. Furthermore, a mesoporous morphology provides the catalyst support material with appropriate porosity and surface area properties such that it may be utilized as part of a fuel cell electrode (anode and/or cathode). The TiO 2 -based catalyst support material may be formed using a template method in which precursor titanium and transition metal alkoxides are hydrolyzed onto the surface of a latex template, dried, and heat treated. |