Pt-decorated binary transition metal oxides (MnO-NiO, MnO-TiO2) for enhanced electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction and borohydride oxidation

• Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by microwave irradiation. • Pt NPs are anchored on MnO and binary metal oxides, MnO-NiO and MnO-TiO 2 . • Electrocatalysts are assessed for oxygen reduction and borohydride oxidation. • Pt/MnO-NiO is a promising DBFC cathode electrocatalyst, with n of 4 for ORR. Integrating transition metal oxides with precious metals is a strategic approach to designing cost-effective electrocatalysts with enhanced stability. Herein, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by microwave irradiation and anchored onto MnO and two binary metal oxides, MnO-NiO and MnO-TiO 2 , obtained by solid-state dispersion. Voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques evaluated their performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR) in alkaline media. Tafel slope and the number of exchanged electrons, n, were determined to compare the three electrocatalysts’ performance for fuel cell applications. Pt/MnO-NiO revealed a Tafel slope of 177 mV dec –1 for ORR and an n value of ca. 4 and 3 e - for ORR and BOR, respectively. These findings demonstrate that Pt NPs supported on binary metal oxide supports, particularly Pt/MnO-NiO, are promising electrocatalysts for ORR and BOR in alkaline media, thus recommending their use in direct borohydride fuel cells.