Issue 40, 2020

Recent advances in nanostructured transition metal nitrides for fuel cells

Abstract

Fuel cells are considered renewable and clean energy sources to replace the dwindling fossil fuel resources. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics of the anodic fuel oxidation and cathodic oxygen reduction reactions hinder the wide commercialization of fuel cells. The Pt/C material is still the most efficient electrocatalyst; however, its high price and poor stability severely impede its large-scale application. Recently, transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have been regarded as promising electrocatalyst materials owing to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties, e.g., thermal stability, metallic conductivity, great hardness, and corrosion resistance. Herein, the advances pertaining to TMN-based catalyst materials for fuel cells are reviewed, ranging from their structures, properties, and synthesis to their applications. TMNs can act as catalysts or supports in electrocatalytic processes. Briefly, as catalysts, TMNs are grouped into free-standing TMNs (including binary and ternary TMNs) and TMN/carbon composites. Moreover, as supports, TMNs can be categorized as pure TMNs supports and hybrid supports to anchor noble metals. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of TMN-based catalyst materials for high-performance fuel cell systems are discussed.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in nanostructured transition metal nitrides for fuel cells

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
17 जुलाई 2020
Accepted
17 सितम्बर 2020
First published
18 सितम्बर 2020

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2020,8, 20803-20818

Recent advances in nanostructured transition metal nitrides for fuel cells

J. Zheng, W. Zhang, J. Zhang, M. Lv, S. Li, H. Song, Z. Cui, L. Du and S. Liao, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2020, 8, 20803 DOI: 10.1039/D0TA06995G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements