Non-Platinum Cathode Electrocatalysts in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

The advantages and major technical problems of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are briefly introduced. The research progress of non-platinum cathode catalysts of PEMFC is reviewed. In particular, the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), chemical or electrochemical stability and methanol-tolerant of the non-platinum catalysts (transition metal chalcogenides, transition metal alloys, transition metal nitrides, transition metal oxides, transition metal macrocyclic complexes, etc.) are focused upon. The existing problems and the development trends of the non-platinum catalysts are proposed. The ruthenium-based chalcogenides, palladium-based alloys and transition metal macrocyclic complexes catalysts displayed good performances and are expected to become the substitutes for the PEMFC cathode platinum-based catalysts.