Status and challenges for the application of platinum group metal-free catalysts in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts are an important class of materials for the sustainable energy economy and significant effort has been made toward developing platinum group metal-free catalysts to replace their costly Pt counterparts in fuel cell electric vehicles. The progress made in activity over the last decade is reviewed, along with synthesis strategies for more controlled active site formation and performance gains achieved through electrode engineering. The increased focus on durability, the growing understanding of degradation mechanisms, and the need for standard performance and accelerated stress test protocols are discussed.

Automated summary

Significant progress has been made in the development of platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts over the past decade, focusing on synthesis strategies for controlled active site formation and performance gains through electrode engineering. There is also a growing emphasis on durability, understanding degradation mechanisms, and the need for standard performance and accelerated stress test protocols.