Mechanisms for Enhanced Performance of Platinum‐Based Electrocatalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Abstract
As a new generation of power sources, fuel cells have shown great promise for application in transportation. However, the expensive catalyst materials, especially the cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), severely limit the widespread commercialization of fuel cells. Therefore, this review article focuses on platinum (Pt)‐based electrocatalysts for ORR with better catalytic performance and lower cost. Major breakthroughs in the improvement of activity and durability of electrocatalysts are discussed. Specifically, on one hand, the enhanced activity of Pt has been achieved through crystallographic control, ligand effect, or geometric effect; on the other hand, improved durability of Pt‐based cathode catalysts has been realized by means of the incorporation of another noble metal or the morphological control of nanostructures. Furthermore, based on these improvement mechanisms, rationally designed Pt‐based nanoparticles are summarized in terms of different synthetic strategies such as wet‐chemical synthesis, Pt‐skin catalysts, electrochemically dealloyed nanomaterials, and Pt‐monolayer deposition. These nanoparticulate electrocatalysts show greatly enhanced catalytic performance towards ORR, aiming not only to outperform the commercial Pt/C, but also to exceed the US Department of Energy 2015 technical target ($30/kW and 5000 h).
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ORR is structure-sensitive and heavily relies on the crystallographic orientation of the Pt surface.
“ORR is structure-sensitive and heavily relies on the crystallographic orientation of the Pt surface.3”
From A comprehensive review of Pt electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: Nanostructure, activity, mechanism and carbon support in PEM fuel cells (2017) · cites this paper as [3]
The intrinsic stability of Pt electrocatalysts is closely related to the size of Pt NPs, as smaller Pt NPs are more vulnerable to dissolution due to decreased cohesive energy.
“In addition, the intrinsic stability of Pt electrocatalysts is also closely related to the size of Pt NPs, as smaller Pt NPs are more vulnerable to dissolution due to the decreased cohesive energy.3,28”
From A comprehensive review of Pt electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: Nanostructure, activity, mechanism and carbon support in PEM fuel cells (2017) · cites this paper as [3]
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- Authors
- Su, L., Jia, W., Li, C., & Lei, Y.
- Affiliations
- University of Connecticut (US)
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Corresponding author
- Li, Chang‐Ming
- Lei, Yu
- Venue
- ChemSusChem
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-01-21
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 361-378
- ISSN
- 1864-5631 (ISSN-L)
- 1864-564X
- OpenAlex
- W2123572612
- Cited by
- 109
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 9
- FWCI
- 0.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- ChemSusChem (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Fuel Cells and Related Materials
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
- Keywords
- platinum electrocatalysts, oxygen reduction reaction, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, cathode catalysts, catalyst stability, crystallographic control, ligand effects, geometry effects, bimetallic catalysts, nanocatalysts, wet chemical synthesis, catalyst cost reduction
- MeSH terms
- Catalysis, Electrochemistry, Membranes, Artificial, Platinum, Electric Power Supplies, Protons
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