Nowadays, a significant part of the research has focused on the development of electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation, seeking to reduce conventional fossil fuels [1]. The TiO₂ nanotubes obtained by electrochemical anodization in fluorine-based electrolytes are the most commonly used materials as catalysts, due to their efficiency, chemical stability, large surface areas and high catalytic activity [2]; however, the deposition of noble metals as Ag in the TiO₂ nanotubes could significantly improve the catalytic activity of TiO₂ for the oxidation of ethanol [1]. In this work, the development and characterization of metals supported in TiO₂ nanotubes is sought for the application in electrocatalysts. Nano particles of Ag in nanotubes of TiO₂ have been synthesized by the cathodic sputtering at different times of deposition, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG- SEM) and the cyclic voltammetry technique. Therefore, catalytic activity for the ethanol oxidation has been studied. Taking everything into consideration, the results of the cyclic voltametry show a characteristic behavior of an Ag electrocatalyst for the electrooxidation of ethanol in basic medium. A comparison made with the cyclic voltammetry technique of the different deposition times employed shows that there is no significant difference in the oxidation of ethanol.

[1] Y.Q. Liang, Z.D. Cui, S.L. Zhu, Y. Liu, X.J. Yang. (2011). Silver nanoparticles supported on TiO2 nanotubes as active catalysts for ethanol oxidation. Journal of Catalysis. 276–287.

[2] Zhihua Xu, Jiaguo Yu, Gang Liu. (2011). Enhancement of ethanol electrooxidation on plasmonic Au/TiO2 nanotube arrays. Electrochemistry Communications. 1260–1263.