What Can We Learn in Electrocatalysis, from Nanoparticulated Precious and/or Non-Precious Catalytic Centers Interacting with Their Support?

Abstract

This review is devoted to discussing the state of the art in the relevant aspects of the synthesis of novel precious and non-precious electrocatalysts. It covers the production of Pt-and Pd-based electrocatalysts synthesized by the carbonyl chemical route, the synthesis description for the preparation of the most catalytically active transition metal chalcogenides, then the employment of free-surfactants synthesis routes to produce non-precious electrocatalysts. A compilation of the best precious electrocatalysts to perform the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) is described; a section is devoted to the synthesis and electrocatalytic evaluation of non-precious materials which can be used to perform the HOR in alkaline medium. Apropos the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the synthesis and modification of the supports is also discussed as well, aiming at describing the state of the art to improve kinetics of low temperature fuel cell reactions via the hybridization process of the catalytic center with a variety of carbon-based, and ceramic-carbon supports. Last, but not least, the review covers the experimental half-cells results in a micro-fuel cell platform obtained in our laboratory, and by other workers, analyzing the history of the first micro-fuel cell systems and their tailoring throughout the time bestowing to the design and operating conditions.

Optimization of the Catalytic Layer for Alkaline Fuel Cells Based on Fumatech Membranes and Ionomer

“…Besides, PGM-free fuel cells would not be subjected to the limitation imposed by the scarcity of PGM in the Earth crust that could eventually hinder a large scale production of fuel cells containing them. In any case, as a result of that interest, the development of novel alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs) is rapidly improving the properties of alkaline MEAs [7], thus widening the possibilities for the design of active, robust and cost-affordable catalysts, a fact that is reflected in a large number of recent publications [8][9][10][11].…”

Estimation of Cell Voltage and Power Density for Alcohols Electro-Oxidation on Modified Platinum Surface

“…The previous researches [5][6][7][8][9][10] and data which related to Ecell and power density curves that instrumentally measured during the run, it is noticed that the final value of the current density is much closer to jmax value of the related cyclic voltammogram. Also, it is arranged by the same logical of different conditions in both Ecell vs. j relation and the cyclic voltammogram, i.e., the reaction enhances conditions.…”

“…We evaluated the voltage-current density and the power density-current density curves of DEFC with 0.1 M HClO4, presented in Figs. (7,8), respectively, in order to confirm the possibility for application of a modified Pt catalyst as a function of ethanol concentration. The measurements were made by feeding different amounts of ethanol with 0.1 M HClO4 to the cell at room temperature, after 30 minutes modification for Pt electrode.…”

Recent Advances in Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction

“…For example, Alonso-Vante's group reviewed the alkaline HOR study, where the synthesis and electrocatalytic activity of five HOR catalysts were evaluated. [42] Markovic's group emphasized that OH ad was a reactant rather than a spectator and it could promote the HOR by reacting with H ad . [43] Shao's group summarized the recent advances of Pd-based electrocatalysts for alkaline HOR.…”