Review—Current Progress of Non-Precious Metal for ORR Based Electrocatalysts Used for Fuel Cells

Abstract

With the consumption of fossil fuels, energy and environmental problems have become increasingly prominent. Finding new energy to replace traditional fossil fuels is one of the most promising approaches to solve current energy shortages and environmental problems. Fuel cells are not restricted to Carnot cycles when chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. It has the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency, cleanliness and environmental friendliness, and occupies an important position in the fields of new energy. However, slow cathode kinetics is an important reason which has limited development of fuel cells. The traditional Pt-based catalysts with poor stability, CO poisoning, high price and other shortcomings have been unable to meet the demands for serving as fuel cell catalysts. In recent years, the non-precious metal catalysts have been widely recognized for their higher stability and resistance to CO poisoning, which are cheaper than Pt-based catalysts. Scientists have made many efforts in research of non-precious metal catalysts. This review summarizes the research progress of non-precious metal catalysts in the field of fuel cells in recent years, mainly including non-metal doped carbon materials, metal and non-metal co-doped carbon materials, and the catalytic mechanism of various catalysts.