Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts toward Practical Fuel Cells: Progress and Perspectives

Fuel cells are an incredibly powerful renewable energy technology, but their broad applications remains lagging because of the high cost and poor reliability of cathodic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This review focuses on the recent progress of ORR electrocatalysts in fuel cells. More importantly, it highlights the fundamental problems associated with the insufficient activity translation from rotating disk electrode to membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cells. Finally, for the atomic-level in-depth information on ORR catalysts in fuel cells, potential perspectives are suggested, including large-scale preparation, unified assessment criteria, advanced interpretation techniques, advanced simulation and artificial intelligence. This review aims to provide valuable insights into the fundamental science and technical engineering for efficient ORR electrocatalysts in fuel cells.

Automated summary

Fuel cells show great potential as a renewable energy technology, but face challenges due to high cost and poor reliability of cathodic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This review emphasizes recent progress of ORR electrocatalysts in fuel cells and highlights issues with activity translation from laboratory testing to practical applications. Future efforts should focus on large-scale preparation, unified assessment criteria, advanced interpretation techniques, advanced simulation and artificial intelligence to advance efficient ORR electrocatalysts in fuel cells.