Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Advanced Applications in Fuel Cells

Abstract

Nanostructured materials have gained much attention in recent engineering and material- science research due to their unique structural makeup, which stands them out from their bulk counterparts. Their novel properties of tiny-size structural elements (molecules or crystallites, clusters) of nanoscale dimensions (1 to 100 nm) make them a perfect material for energy applications. The recent keen interest in nanostructured materials research by academia and industrial experts arises from the unique variable characteristics of increased electrical and thermal conductivity. This occurs as nanostructured materials undergo a transient process from infinite-extended solid to a particle of ascertainable numbers of atoms. The commercial and energy sectors are very interested in developing and expanding simple synthetic pathways for nanostructured-electrocatalysts materials to aid in optimizing the number of active regions. Over the decades, various techniques have been put forward to design and synthesize nanostructured-electrocatalysts materials for electrochemical generation of energy and storage applications. As a result, the design of fuel cells, supercapacitors, and energy-storage devices has advanced significantly. This review provides a comprehensive outlook of various synthesis techniques and highlight the challenges of nanostructured- electrocatalysts materials application in fuel cells. Several synthesis methods are discussed and summarized for enhanced nanomaterial preparation and high product attainment with the sol-gel synthesis method being emphasized. The design methodology for an effective nanostructured electrocatalysts with high efficiency for fuel cells was also discussed.