Recent Advances in Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are crucial for clean energy.
• Electrocatalysts, particularly for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), are key to PEMFC efficiency.
• Platinum-based catalysts are effective but expensive, driving research into alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review recent advances in electrocatalysis for ORR in PEMFCs.
• To focus on the development and understanding of low- and non-platinum electrocatalysts.
• To provide insights into future research directions for cost-effective ORR catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in ORR electrocatalysis.
• Analysis of various low- and non-platinum catalyst types, including alloys, core-shell structures, oxides, chalcogenides, and carbon-based materials.
• Summarization of structure-activity relationships and synthesis method impacts.

Main Results:

• Detailed examination of advanced platinum alloys, palladium-based catalysts, metal oxides/chalcogenides, and carbon-based non-noble metal/metal-free catalysts.
• Highlighting novel structures and compositions of ORR electrocatalysts.
• Summarizing correlations between catalyst properties (shape, size, composition, synthesis) and ORR activity.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress has been made in developing low- and non-platinum ORR electrocatalysts.
• Understanding the structure-property-performance relationships is vital for catalyst design.
• Further research is needed to develop highly active, stable, and affordable electrocatalysts for PEMFCs.