Porous Carbon-Supported Catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are crucial for the efficient utilization of hydrogen. Currently, their efficiency is mainly limited by the slow kinetics of the cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the poisoning effect between ionomers and catalytic sites, particularly with Pt-based catalysts. Recent works suggest that the emerging porous carbon-supported catalysts hold promise in mitigating these challenges by ensuring fast kinetics while alleviating the poisoning. This review examines porous carbon-supported catalysts for PEMFC cathodes, covering synthesis methods, structure and performance evaluation, and future prospects, with an emphasis on the influence of porous carbon support on PEMFC performance. On one hand, the rational design of pore structure in carbon support can help optimize the location of the active sites and enhance mass transfer. On the other hand, diverse pore structures provide a platform for gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind microscale mass transfer and reaction at the three-phase boundaries. This review aims to inspire innovative strategies for the precise synthesis of porous carbon-supported catalysts with various pore structures to further boost PEMFC performance.