Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd. , Beijing, 100083, P. R. China.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 Jun;10(17):e2300550. doi: 10.1002/advs.202300550. Epub 2023 Apr 25.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the most promising energy conversion devices with high efficiency and zero emission. However, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is still the dominant limiting factor for the practical development of PEMFC due to its sluggish kinetics and the vulnerability of ORR catalysts under harsh operating conditions. Thus, the development of high-performance ORR catalysts is essential and requires a better understanding of the underlying ORR mechanism and the failure mechanisms of ORR catalysts with in situ characterization techniques. This review starts with the introduction of in situ techniques that have been used in the research of the ORR processes, including the principle of the techniques, the design of the in situ cells, and the application of the techniques. Then the in situ studies of the ORR mechanism as well as the failure mechanisms of ORR catalysts in terms of Pt nanoparticle degradation, Pt oxidation, and poisoning by air contaminants are elaborated. Furthermore, the development of high-performance ORR catalysts with high activity, anti-oxidation ability, and toxic-resistance guided by the aforementioned mechanisms and other in situ studies are outlined. Finally, the prospects and challenges for in situ studies of ORR in the future are proposed.
质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）是一种极具前景的能量转换装置，具有高效率和零排放的特点。然而，阴极的氧还原反应（ORR）仍然是 PEMFC 实际发展的主要限制因素，这是由于其动力学缓慢以及在恶劣操作条件下 ORR 催化剂的脆弱性所致。因此，开发高性能的 ORR 催化剂至关重要，需要通过原位表征技术更好地理解潜在的 ORR 机制和 ORR 催化剂的失效机制。本综述首先介绍了用于 ORR 过程研究的原位技术，包括技术原理、原位电池的设计以及技术的应用。然后详细阐述了 ORR 机制的原位研究以及 ORR 催化剂失效机制，包括 Pt 纳米颗粒降解、Pt 氧化和空气污染物中毒等方面。此外，还概述了在上述机制和其他原位研究的指导下，开发具有高活性、抗氧化能力和抗毒性的高性能 ORR 催化剂的进展。最后，提出了未来 ORR 原位研究的前景和挑战。
