Materials for electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cell: A brief review

Energy is a requisite factor for technological advancement and the economic development of any society. Currently, global energy demand supply largely rely on fossil fuels. The use fuels as source has caused severe environmental pollution warming. To salvage dire situation, research effort geared toward utilization clean, renewable sustainable sources hydrogen economy among most preferred choices. Hydrogen economy, which includes production, storage conversion gained wide consideration an ecofriendly future solution with fuel cell its device. Fuel cells, especially, proton exchange membrane category, present promising technology that converts directly into electricity great efficiency no hazardous emissions. Unfortunately, current generation cells faces some drawbacks prevent them from large-scale market adoption. These challenges include high costs durability concerns catalyst materials. main cost in platinum used electrodes, particularly at cathode where sluggish oxygen reduction reaction kinetics require loading precious metals. Many efforts are directed to reduce device by reducing or completely replacing metal using alternative low-cost materials “platinum-like” catalytic behaviour while maintaining power performance durability. Consequently, this review attempts highlight recent replace carbon support other cost-effective durable electrocatalysts. Overview such alloy-based (binary, ternary, quaternary high-entropy alloys), single atom metal-free electrocatalysts were discussed, areas still their infancy have many open questions need be answered gain insight intrinsic requirements will inform recommendation outlook selecting cell.