Review: An overview of recent development of platinum-based cathode materials for direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

Among pure metals, platinum is the best electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in direct methanol fuel cells. Its activity is further improved when supported on a high surface area carbon support. However, platinum metal is pretty costly and highly sensitive to the presence of even small amounts of liquid fuel that permeates from anode to the cathode side through the commonly used Nafion electrolyte membrane. Concerted efforts have been made to improve its methanol tolerance and mass utilization efficiency. As a result, several novel bi- and multi-metallic Pt alloys/composites and other Pt-based electrodes with innovative designs, such as hollow Pt nano-spheres, core/shell Pt/C nanoparticles, Pt-rich (or pure) skin structure, etc. have recently been reported. This paper presents an overview of all the advances made with regard to design, synthesis and ORR activity of Pt-based cathodes during the period 2000-2013. © 2014 The Authors.