Preparation and characterization of novel Ti 0.7 W 0.3 O 2 –C composite materials for Pt-based anode electrocatalysts with enhanced CO tolerance

•Ti0.7W0.3O2–C composites were prepared by three different sol–gel-based processes.•The importance of the formation of the rutile phase at room temperature was shown.•Almost pure rutile-TiO2 phase with high degree of W incorporation was obtained.•Enhanced CO tolerance along with considerable stability was achieved.•Electrochemical performance enhances with the degree of W incorporation.