The development of low-cost fuel cell technology has involved substantial research on platinum-free ornon-platinum group metal (non-PGM) catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in proton exchangemembrane fuel cells. However, due to macroscale d...
The development of low-cost fuel cell technology has involved substantial research on platinum-free ornon-platinum group metal (non-PGM) catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in proton exchangemembrane fuel cells. However, due to macroscale degradation and flooding issues in fuel cell systems,catalyst development has faced significant challenges in rapid active site degradation over a short time.
This review presents the impacts of the non-PGM catalyst structure on the ORR activity and single-cellperformance. A balance in the micropores, mesopores and macropores is sought to ensure high accessibilityto the active sites, a high active site density, and good water management at the electrode layer toprevent active site blockage. The unsatisfactory single-cell performance of non-PGM electrodes alsopotentially arises from the conventional catalyst ink-casting technique. This review also provides insightinto the necessary strategies for producing non-PGM MEAs via proper porous architecture and innovativecatalyst casting techniques to develop promising low-cost PEMFC technology.