Progress in non-platinum catalysts with applications in low temperature fuel cells

Non-platinum catalysts have recently attracted significant attention with regard to their potential applications in low temperature fuel cells. This review summarizes the progresses in the development of these catalysts to date, including anode and cathode catalysts. Anode catalysts based on metal carbides, Pd alloys, and perovskite oxides are described, focusing on their catalytic activity. The non-platinum cathode catalysts include transition metal macrocyclic compounds, metal nitrides, and metal oxides. Particularly, various aspects are discussed in detail, including active sites, metal-support interactions, and the preparation parameters for transition metal macrocyclic compounds. All the compounds reviewed are considered promising candidates that may find commercial applications as non-platinum anode and cathode catalysts for fuel cells.

摘要简要综述了近年来低温燃料电池阳极和阴极催化剂的研究进展. 阳极催化剂主要介绍了金属碳化物/Pd合金以及钙钛矿型氧化物三种, 讨论了阳极催化剂对燃料氧化过程的催化活性和抗CO中毒能力; 阴极催化剂则重点介绍了过渡金属大环化合物/氮化物以及氧化物, 并较详细地阐述了过渡金属大环化合物的反应活性中心/金属-载体相互作用以及化合物制备条件. 由于阴极非铂催化剂存在制备过程较复杂/中间产物过氧化物易破坏催化剂结构等问题, 仍需探索新型的非铂催化剂.

Graphical AbstractThis review presents a summary of research to date concerning non–platinum anode and cathode catalysts. The review of anode catalysts focuses primarily on metal carbides, Pd alloys, and perovskite oxides, while transition metal macrocyclic compounds, metal nitrides, and metal oxides are considered cathode catalysts.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide