Singh Monika, Sharma Hari Mohan, Gupta Ram K, Kumar Anuj
Department of Chemistry, GLA University, Mathura-281406, India.
Department of Chemistry, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 66762, USA.
Discov Nano. 2024 Aug 14;19(1):128. doi: 10.1186/s11671-024-04066-w.
The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) represents a highly promising alternative power source for small electronics and automobiles due to its low operating temperatures, high efficiency, and energy density. The methanol oxidation process (MOR) constitutes a fundamental chemical reaction occurring at the positive electrode of a DMFC. Pt-based materials serve as widely utilized MOR electrocatalysts in DMFCs. Nevertheless, various challenges, such as sluggish reaction rates, high production costs primarily attributed to the expensive Pt-based catalyst, and the adverse effects of CO poisoning on the Pt catalysts, hinder the commercialization of DMFCs. Consequently, endeavors to identify an alternative catalyst to Pt-based catalysts that mitigate these drawbacks represent a critical focal point of DMFC research. In pursuit of this objective, researchers have developed diverse classes of MOR electrocatalysts, encompassing those derived from noble and non-noble metals. This review paper delves into the fundamental concept of MOR and its operational mechanisms, as well as the latest advancements in electrocatalysts derived from noble and non-noble metals, such as single-atom and molecule catalysts. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis of the constraints and prospects of MOR electrocatalysts, encompassing those based on noble metals and those based on non-noble metals, has been undertaken.
直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）由于其低工作温度、高效率和能量密度，是小型电子产品和汽车极具前景的替代电源。甲醇氧化过程（MOR）是DMFC正极发生的基本化学反应。铂基材料是DMFC中广泛使用的MOR电催化剂。然而，诸如反应速率缓慢、主要归因于昂贵铂基催化剂的高生产成本以及CO中毒对铂催化剂的不利影响等各种挑战，阻碍了DMFC的商业化。因此，努力寻找一种替代铂基催化剂以减轻这些缺点，是DMFC研究的关键焦点。为实现这一目标，研究人员开发了多种类型的MOR电催化剂，包括源自贵金属和非贵金属的催化剂。本文综述深入探讨了MOR的基本概念及其运行机制，以及源自贵金属和非贵金属的电催化剂（如单原子和分子催化剂）的最新进展。此外还对包括基于贵金属和基于非贵金属的MOR电催化剂所面临的限制和前景进行了全面分析。
