Recent major advances and challenges in the emerging graphene-based nanomaterials in electrocatalytic fuel cell technology

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO (rGO), doped graphene, and functionalized graphene (F-graphene) nanomaterials (NMs)) possess unique chemical and physical features, and thus huge efforts have been devoted to their study, achieving substantial advances in fuel cell (FC) applications. Herein, we provide a summary of the latest performance and progress in the synthesis, properties, and application of graphene-based NMs in membranes, bipolar plates (BPPs), and as electrocatalysts in various types of FC technological applications. Specifically, in this review, we explain in detail the effect of introducing an increased electrochemically active specific surface area (SSA) to achieve better electro-catalytic activity toward fuel oxidation and oxidant reduction processes using graphene-based NM dispersions on electrodes. Using materials based on graphene, the problem of the device stack durability and performance degradation brought by the corrosion of the BPPs is highlighted. Graphene-based NMs have demonstrated outstanding performances in different membrane devices with respect to high ionic conductivity and power density. The use of graphene in FC technology has demonstrated admirable performances, and thus has a promising future for industrial applications.