Recent progress in development of efficient electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

The human craving for energy is continually mounting and becoming progressively difficult to Gratify. At present, the world's massive energy demands are chiefly encountered by nonrenewable and benign fossil fuels. However, the development of dynamic energy cradles for a gradually thriving world to lessen fossil fuel reserve depletion and environmental concerns are persistent issues for society at present. The discovery of copious nonconventional resources to fill the gap between energy petition and supply is the extreme obligation of the modern era. A new emergent, clean, and robust alternate of fossil fuels are the fuel cells. Among the different types of fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells are an outstanding option for light-duty vehicles and portable devices. A critical tactic for striving and sustainable energy sources is the production of highly proficient, economical, and green catalysts for energy storage and conversion devices. Up till now a broad range of research work is available to use Pt and modify Pt-based electrocatalysts to augment the CH3OH oxidation process. Platinum-based nanocubes, nanorods, nanoflower, hybrids of Pt with metal-oxides such as Fe2O3, TiO2, SnO2, MnO, Cu2O, ZnO, and with conducting polymers are extensively utilized in both acidic and basic media. Moreover, Pd-based materials, transition metal-based materials as well as MOF and MOF-derived materials are also the point of interest for researchers nowadays. However, the problem associated with their practical applications is that they can be effectively employed in basic media due to comparative less stability in acidic medium. This review article will deliver a broad vision of the current progress of the MOR process concerning noble metals, transition metals, and MOF-based materials.

Automated summary

This article discusses the increasing human demand for energy and the importance of developing dynamic energy sources, introducing fuel cells as alternatives and the focus of researchers on catalysts and materials. Research on unconventional resources and various catalysts plays an important role in bridging the energy supply-demand gap.