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Updated: Jan 29, 2026

On the Preparation and Testing of Fuel Cell Catalysts Using the Thin Film Rotating Disk Electrode Method
Published on: March 16, 2018
PGM-Free Cathode Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells: A Mini-Review on Stability Challenges
Yuyan Shao1, Jean-Pol Dodelet2, Gang Wu3
1Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
Abstract:
In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the development of platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. At the same time the limited durability of these catalysts remains a great challenge that needs to be addressed. This mini-review summarizes the recent progress in understanding the main causes of instability of PGM-free ORR catalysts in acidic environments, focusing on transition metal/nitrogen codoped systems (M-N-C catalysts, M: Fe, Co, Mn), particularly MNx moiety active sites. Of several possible degradation mechanisms, demetalation and carbon oxidation are found to be the most likely reasons for M-N-C catalysts/cathodes degradation.
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