Issue 36, 2017

Recent advances in Fe (or Co)/N/C electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Abstract

Exploring cheap and stable electrocatalysts to replace Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is now the key issue for the large-scale application of fuel cells, especially polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The recent emergence of Fe (or Co)/N/C catalysts has created tremendous opportunities for the development of non-precious metal catalysts for ORR in acidic media and thus presents great potential in the application of fuel cells. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the Fe (or Co)/N/C catalysts for ORR in acidic media that have demonstrated comparable activity to the commercial Pt catalyst. The synthesis, structural characterization and underlying mechanism of Fe (or Co)/N/C catalysts are discussed. In addition, we highlight the interesting microstructures of the active site, new synthesis approaches, and the catalytic performances tuned by nonmetal heteroatom dopants. Finally, perspectives on the challenges and future opportunities are also discussed.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in Fe (or Co)/N/C electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
06 Jun 2017
Accepted
18 Aug 2017
First published
18 Aug 2017

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017,5, 18933-18950

Recent advances in Fe (or Co)/N/C electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

T. Sun, B. Tian, J. Lu and C. Su, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 18933 DOI: 10.1039/C7TA04915C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements