Electrocatalysis in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: From Fundamentals to Applications

Abstract

The goal of this work is to summarize the most important developments in electrocatalysis for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The focus is on fundamental studies to gain insight into reaction mechanisms, correlations of surface atom composition and arrangements with reactivity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Additionally, these findings will be complemented with important requirements for durability for and in devices. Both activity and durability challenges will be discussed in the light of the technical targets for low temperature fuel cells for both automotive and stationary applications.

Electrocatalysis for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: Recent Achievements and Future Challenges

“…It also should be noted that there seem to be some limits to improvements of the different Pt alloy catalysts. Although reports on, for instance, the absolute activities of different PtNi catalyst approaches appear to be differing sometimes by orders of magnitude because of different measurement and analysis conditions (for a discussion please refer to ref ), the improvement factors versus the baseline Pt catalyst is always found in the range of 3–5.…”

Tailoring the catalytic activity of electrodes with monolayer amounts of foreign metals

“…The oxygen reduction reaction is another key reaction in modern electrocatalysis. [156][157][158][159] Its importance originates from the fact that the sluggish kinetics of the ORR is responsible for the largest part of the energy losses in some types of batteries and fuel cells, especially in the polymer electrolyte fuel cells. 160 If the most active Pt-based catalysts are used, the ORR is responsible for B2/3 of the energy losses in working PEMFCs.…”

Highly Stable PEMFC Electrodes Based on Electrospun Antimony‐Doped SnO2

“…Alternative catalyst supports must present high electronic conductivity, porous structure, dissolution stability, reasonable surface area and low cost . Among them, graphitised carbons, electronically conducting polymers, metal nitrides, carbides, borides and oxides have been widely studied .…”

“…[4,5] Alternative catalysts upports must presenth igh electronic conductivity,p orous structure, dissolution stability, reasonable surfacea rea andl ow cost. [6] Among them,g raphitised carbons, electronically conducting polymers, metal nitrides, carbides, boridesa nd oxides have been widely studied. [7] The latter,w ith their high corrosion resistancea nd strong interaction with metal catalysts, [8] have shown great electrochemical stability combined with good electrocatalytic performance.…”