{"title":"Current advances and performance enhancement of single atom M-N-C catalysts for PEMFCs","authors":"Yanhong Lin, Wenjun Li, Zeyu Wang, Yun Zheng, Yining Zhang, Xiaogang Fu","doi":"10.1007/s11708-025-1004-6","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Single-atom transition metal-nitrogen-doped carbons (SA M-N-Cs) catalysts are promising alternatives to platinum-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, enhancing their performance for practical applications remains a significant challenge. This review summarizes recent advances in enhancing the intrinsic activity of SA M-N-C catalysts through various strategies, such as tuning the coordination environment and local structure of central metal atoms, heteroatom doping, and the creation of dual-/multi metal sites. Additionally, it discusses methods to increase the density of M-N<sub><i>x</i></sub> active sites, including chelation, defect capture, cascade anchoring, spatial confinement, porous structure design, and secondary doping. Finally, it outlines future directions for developing highly active and stable SA M-N-C catalysts, providing a comprehensive framework for the design of advanced catalysts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":570,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Energy","volume":"19 5","pages":"642 - 669"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Energy","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11708-025-1004-6","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENERGY & FUELS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Single-atom transition metal-nitrogen-doped carbons (SA M-N-Cs) catalysts are promising alternatives to platinum-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, enhancing their performance for practical applications remains a significant challenge. This review summarizes recent advances in enhancing the intrinsic activity of SA M-N-C catalysts through various strategies, such as tuning the coordination environment and local structure of central metal atoms, heteroatom doping, and the creation of dual-/multi metal sites. Additionally, it discusses methods to increase the density of M-Nx active sites, including chelation, defect capture, cascade anchoring, spatial confinement, porous structure design, and secondary doping. Finally, it outlines future directions for developing highly active and stable SA M-N-C catalysts, providing a comprehensive framework for the design of advanced catalysts.
期刊介绍:
Frontiers in Energy, an interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed international journal launched in January 2007, seeks to provide a rapid and unique platform for reporting the most advanced research on energy technology and strategic thinking in order to promote timely communication between researchers, scientists, engineers, and policy makers in the field of energy.
Frontiers in Energy aims to be a leading peer-reviewed platform and an authoritative source of information for analyses, reviews and evaluations in energy engineering and research, with a strong focus on energy analysis, energy modelling and prediction, integrated energy systems, energy conversion and conservation, energy planning and energy on economic and policy issues.
Frontiers in Energy publishes state-of-the-art review articles, original research papers and short communications by individual researchers or research groups. It is strictly peer-reviewed and accepts only original submissions in English. The scope of the journal is broad and covers all latest focus in current energy research.
High-quality papers are solicited in, but are not limited to the following areas:
-Fundamental energy science
-Energy technology, including energy generation, conversion, storage, renewables, transport, urban design and building efficiency
-Energy and the environment, including pollution control, energy efficiency and climate change
-Energy economics, strategy and policy
-Emerging energy issue