Cathode catalyst Future directions

Alternative cathode catalysts to platinum have been the focus of many researchers over the past four decades. Numerous reviews have been published on various aspects and types of PEM fuel cell cathode catalysts.2,7-21 In this work we review the major classes of non-noble metal ORR catalysts in acidic electrolytes. The techniques used to study the catalysts, a brief history of catalyst development including major breakthroughs, and possible future directions will be discussed. 

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are attracting much more attention for their potential as clean and mobile power sources for the near future [1-8], Generally, platinum (Pt)- or platinum-alloy-hased nanocluster-impregnated carbon supports are the best electrocatalysts for anodic and cathodic fuel cell reactions. These materials are veiy expensive, and thus there is a need to minimize catalyst loading without sacrificing electro-catalytic activity. Because the catalytic reaction is performed by fuel gas or fuel solution, one way to maximize catalyst utilization is to enhance the external Pt surface area per unit mass of Pt. The most efficient way to achieve this goal is to reduce the size of the Pt clusters. 

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