Electrocatalyst support and catalyst supported thereon

A process for synthesizing a doped titania metal oxide electrocatalyst support for a fuel cell comprising:

• providing a surfactant, a titania metal oxide, and a dopant wherein the dopant comprises niobium or tantalum;
• forming a solution by utilizing the surfactant, titania metal oxide and dopant;
• removing a doped titania metal oxide from the solution to form a support wherein the doped titania metal oxide is subjected to temperatures of less than about 500° C. throughout the process, wherein a phase transition of the doped metal oxide is avoided, and the dopant is present in the doped titania metal oxide in an amount of from about 1 to about 35 weight percent;
• depositing an electrocatalyst on the doped titania metal oxide support such that the electrocatalyst forms alloyed particles on the doped titania metal oxide support.