Ion beam formation of the catalytically active surface of titanium electrodes

Ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) of platinum with a rare earth metal on titanium substrates is carried out from a neutral fraction of vapor and ionized plasma of a pulsed electric arc. Ions of the metal being deposited serve as assisting ions in the process. The deposited coatings are analyzed by RBS, SEM, and EMA methods. The electrocatalytic activity of titanium electrodes with the coatings is studied in the electrochemical reactions of hydrogen and oxygen evolution, as well as methanol and ethanol oxidation. Electrodes with coatings containing platinum are found to exhibit a high level of electrocatalytic activity in all test reactions.