Activation methods and underlying performance boosting mechanisms within fuel cell catalyst layer

Metal–Single Atom Support Interactions for Enhancing Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Cathode Stability: A Review

“…With the extensive use of fossil fuels, the gradual deterioration of the environment and the accelerated depletion of resources have become significant challenges to humanity's sustainable development in the 21st century. 1,2 In response to these challenges, it is urgent to promote the large-scale development of renewable energy to achieve the goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. 3−5 Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are considered to be efficient and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy conversion devices, with broad application prospects in distributed power stations, mobile devices, electric vehicles, and more.…”

“…With the extensive use of fossil fuels, the gradual deterioration of the environment and the accelerated depletion of resources have become significant challenges to humanity’s sustainable development in the 21st century. , In response to these challenges, it is urgent to promote the large-scale development of renewable energy to achieve the goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. − Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are considered to be efficient and environmentally friendly electrochemical energy conversion devices, with broad application prospects in distributed power stations, mobile devices, electric vehicles, and more. − Currently, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode of PEMFCs requires a large amount of catalyst to enhance the reaction rate due to its slow kinetics, and platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts are considered to be the best performing ORR catalysts. , However, the high cost of PGM catalysts (which account for about 40–50% of the total cost of PEMFC systems) and their scarcity significantly hinder the large-scale application of PEMFCs. − Therefore, it is urgent to develop non-PGM catalysts with high activity and stability to partially or completely replace PGM catalysts. ,, Among the most promising non-PGM catalysts, single-atom catalysts (SACs) with metal–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C, where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, etc.) are widely regarded for their high catalytic activity and nearly 100% atom utilization rate. − The Fe–N–C catalysts have gained renown for their outstanding performance, have exhibited ORR activity in half-cell and PEMFC tests that is comparable to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. − However, M–N–C catalysts face significant stability issues in practical applications as they often experience a loss in performance ranging from 40 to 80% within the first 100 h of PEMFC operation. − Therefore, addressing the problem of SACs stability is crucial to promote its commercialization process in PEMFC.…”