Nanostructured platinum-free electrocatalysts in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells: catalyst design, principles and applications

摘要: The alkaline direct alcohol fuel cell (ADAFC) is an environmentally friendly electrochemical energy source that can drive a plethora of consumer and portable electronics. Research in ADAFCs has continued to attract major attention due their several advantages over conventional proton-exchange membrane cells (PEMFC); these include the emergence anion-exchange membranes (AEM), easy handling liquid fuels compared hydrogen, higher volumetric densities alcohols enhanced reaction kinetics oxygen reduction media. Further developments this field are dependent on improving performance nanostructured electrocatalysts AEMs. This review overview some notable advances made recent years. Importantly, it provides excellent insight into fundamental principles allow for intelligent design synthesis non-precious metal cathode anode reactions ADAFCs. attempt find answers questions such as “Why should I use particular catalyst ADAFC?”, “What underlying must inform my choice designing catalyst?”, method(s) or supports be considered prepare catalysts with appropriate physicochemical properties high-performance?” knowledge provided applied not only ADAFCs, but also other electrocatalytic systems (such various systems, sensors, metal–air batteries).