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Strategies for Enhancing the Electrocatalytic Activity of M–N/C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

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Abstract

The development of highly active and durable nonprecious metal catalysts that can replace expensive Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of pivotal importance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In this line of research, metal and nitrogen codoped carbon (M–N/C) catalysts have emerged as the most promising alternatives to Pt-based catalysts. This review provides an overview of recently developed synthetic strategies for the preparation of M–N/C catalysts to enhance the catalytic activity of the ORR. We present five major strategies, namely the use of metal–organic frameworks as hosts or precursors, the use of sacrificial templates, the addition of heteroelements, the preferential generation of active sites, and a biomimetic approach. For each strategy, the advantages capable of boosting catalytic activity in the ORR are summarized, and notable examples and their catalytic performances are presented. The ORR activities and measurement conditions of high-performing M–N/C catalysts are also tabulated. Finally, we summarize this review with some suggestions for future studies.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea Grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (NRF-2015M1A2A2056560, NRF-2017R1A2B2008464, and NRF-2017R1A4A1015564), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) (KIAT_N0001754) and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) funded by the MOTIE (10050509) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (KIAT_N0001754).

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  1. School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea

    Young Jin Sa, Jinwoo Woo & Sang Hoon Joo

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Sa, Y.J., Woo, J. & Joo, S.H. Strategies for Enhancing the Electrocatalytic Activity of M–N/C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Top Catal 61, 1077–1100 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-018-0935-0

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