Stability/Durability Challenges of Cathode Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells: Experiments, Mechanisms, and Perspectives Beyond Three-Electrode System
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Yangdong Zhou , Weijia Guo , Lixin Xing , Jiayang Li , Ning Wang , Ling Meng , Siyu Ye , Xiaohua Yang , Hao Chen and Lei Du
First published on 3rd September 2025
Abstract
The sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) determines the performance and lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The commercialized cathodic ORR catalyst is synthesized with platinum-group-metal (PGM)-based chemicals, which suffers from low geological reserves; As alternatives, PGM-free catalysts are emerging. However, both PGM and PGM-free catalysts suffer from insufficient stability/durability. The stability/durability test protocols for ORR catalysts, especially for PGM-free catalysts, have not been well agreed—different groups using different stability/durability test protocols in their experiments, particularly in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) tests; some false-comparison maybe overlooked by researchers. On the other hand, deep understanding of degradation mechanisms and developing efficient strategies to improve the stability/durability have become the research frontier in this field. In this regard, we herein discuss the key experimental factors influencing the accuracy of stability/durability tests in three-electrode system and MEA, and touch the critical knowledge of degradation mechanisms and materials-based solutions to improve the catalyst stability/durability. We hope such discussion will highlight the importance of stability/durability studies and promote the PEM fuel cell development.