Platinum-Free Catalysts for Fuel Cell Cathode

Abstract

In this chapter, we will review platinum-free catalysts for fuel cell cathodes; metal particles, metal oxides/carbides/nitrides/chalcogenides, carbon materials, and metal complexes, in terms of their practical feasibility for fuel cell. We will focus on metal complexes and their heat-treated materials, which could be promising catalysts for fuel cell cathodes. We will see that the catalyst performance depends largely on metal centers, ligand structures, and heat-treatment temperatures. In addition, we will introduce newly developed catalysts designed from dinuclear metal complexes.