Interfacial engineering of noble metals for electrocatalytic methanol and ethanol oxidation

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have drawn great attention as promising power sources for mobile and portable devices. However, the anodic reactions in DMFCs and DEFCs, namely the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), suffer from notoriously sluggish kinetics which seriously limited their large-scale applications. In this review, we will present a brief review on the interfacial engineering of noble metals for the MOR and EOR. This review starts by introducing the fundamental electrochemistry of the MOR and EOR and the performance evaluation of MOR and EOR electrocatalysts. We then move to summarize recent advances in the design and synthesis of MOR and EOR electrocatalysts in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, in which we emphasize the importance of rational engineering of the interface in noble metals (such as Pt, Pd and Rh) for enhanced activity and improved stability toward the MOR and EOR. Finally, challenges and prospects will be concluded for designing better MOR and EOR electrocatalysts.