Enhancement Mechanism of Pt/Pd-Based Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the key catalytic reactions for hydrogen fuel cells, biofuel cells and metal–air cells. However, due to the complex four-electron catalytic process, the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction are sluggish. Platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts represented by platinum and palladium are considered to be the most active ORR catalysts. However, the price and reserves of Pt/Pd are major concerns and issues for their commercial application. Improving the catalytic performance of PGM catalysts can effectively reduce their loading and material cost in a catalytic system, and they will be more economical and practical. In this review, we introduce the kinetics and mechanisms of Pt/Pd-based catalysts for the ORR, summarize the main factors affecting the catalytic performance of PGMs, and discuss the recent progress of Pt/Pd-based catalysts. In addition, the remaining challenges and future prospects in the design and improvement of Pt/Pd-based catalysts of the ORR are also discussed.