Recent Progress of Carbon-Based Materials in Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysis

Carbon-based materials have been regarded as the most promising alternatives to high-cost and scarce Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Thus, developing highly efficient carbon-based catalysts becomes the key to realize the commercialization of fuel cells. In this Minireview, the recent advances in the carbon-based ORR catalysts have been reviewed carefully, with particular attention paid to understanding of the types and structures of active sites, and the strategies used in manipulating the electron and geometry structures for better performances. Besides, we also discuss the challenges and directions for future research of carbon-based catalysts.