LAUSR

Abstract Platinum and platinum-based electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are commonly used as the anode material in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Photo-oxidation promoted by ultraviolet and visible light is a promising method to increase the catalytic activity of DMFC anode electrocatalysts. Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic methanol oxidation can be coupled by addition of TiO 2 , a semiconductor photocatalyst, to Pt. In the presence of TiO 2 , an increase of the MOR activity of Pt-based electrocatalysts takes place also in dark conditions. This review deals with the methanol photo-oxidation on Pt/TiO 2 catalysts, highlighting the effect of TiO 2 morphology, nanoparticles, or 1D nanostructures, on the MOR activity under illumination. Comparison of reaction mechanisms in the presence and the absence of light are presented, and the roles of Pt and TiO 2 during electrochemical and photochemical reactions are discussed.