Tungsten carbide/carbon nanotubes composite (WC-CNTs) was prepared through surface decoration and in situ reduction and carbonization technology. Furthermore

its supported Pt electrocatalyst was prepared by the microwave-assisted polyol method. Compared to Pt/CNTs catalyst

Pt/WC-CNTs catalyst showed higher electrocatalytic activities for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)

with lower overpotential

higher current density and higher exchange current density

lower charge transfer resistance and better selectivity towards ORR. XRD and TEM results indicated that Pt/WC-CNTs catalyst was mainly made of WC

Pt and CNTs. Fine Pt particles were dispersed on outside surfaces of WC-CNTs. Pt nanoparticles were in contact with WC nanopaticles

which was helpful to the synergistic effect between them. Thus

the enhancement in electrocatalytic properties of the novel Pt/WC-CNTs catalyst was attributed to this synergistic effect between Pt and WC. The rotating disk electrode measurements were performed to gain insight into ORR performance on Pt/WC-CNTs catalyst. This observation suggested that a four-electron reduction process took place on the catalyst surfaces. Tungsten carbide/carbon nanotube supported Pt electrocatalysts with low cost and unique activity for ORR have good prospect for development in the fuel cell cathode catalyst research applications.