Abstract
Due to the high Pt loading applied in cathodes of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), the fuel cell cost remains very high, which greatly hinders its commercialization in different fields. It is well anticipated the Pt loading level should be reduced from the current 0.4 mg/cm2 to less than 0.1 mg/cm2. On the one hand, high active Pt alloy or monolayer catalysts can be obtained by adjusting compositions and structures. On the other hand, the alternative of non-noble metal catalysts (M-N/C, et al.) is considered as the ultimate solution. However, the local mass transfer of oxygen across the active site surface becomes worse due to significant reductions in their amount or activity, seriously affecting the performance of fuel cells1,2. Herein, a series of ultra-low Pt or M-N/C electrocatalysts with both controlled compositions and structures are synthesized and investigated as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst. Corresponding synthetic mechanisms are comprehensively elucidated by advanced physiochemical characterizations combined with density functional theory (DFT). It is believed that the discussion will provide a solid scientific guideline for the development of highly efficiently electrocatalysts for low-cost PEMFCs. Keywords: highly active, low-Pt, non-Pt, oxygen reduction reaction, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, density functional theory Reference [1] W. Xia, A. Mahmood, Z. Liang, R. Zou, S. Guo, Angewandte Chemie International edtion, 2016, 55, 2650.[2] U. Martinez, S.K Babu, E.F. Holby, P. Zelenay, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, 2018, 9, 224. Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21975157) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFB0101201 and 2016YFB0101312).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.