Volume 52, Issue 33 pp. 8526-8544
Review

Tuning Nanoparticle Catalysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Dr. Shaojun Guo

Dr. Shaojun Guo

Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 (USA)

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Sen Zhang

Sen Zhang

Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 (USA)

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Shouheng Sun

Corresponding Author

Prof. Shouheng Sun

Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 (USA)

Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 (USA)Search for more papers by this author
First published: 14 June 2013
Citations: 944

Graphical Abstract

Efforts in searching for efficient nanoparticle catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells have led to various nanoparticle (NP) systems with precise control of size, shape, composition, and structure. Whereas the traditional Pt-based catalysts are still under heavy investigation, recent studies have led to the emergence of non-Pt systems. This Review highlights the recent efforts in developing Pt- and non-Pt-based NPs into advanced nanocatalysts for the ORR.

Abstract

Advances in chemical syntheses have led to the formation of various kinds of nanoparticles (NPs) with more rational control of size, shape, composition, structure and catalysis. This review highlights recent efforts in the development of Pt and non-Pt based NPs into advanced nanocatalysts for efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under fuel-cell reaction conditions. It first outlines the shape controlled synthesis of Pt NPs and their shape-dependent ORR. Then it summarizes the studies of alloy and core–shell NPs with controlled electronic (alloying) and strain (geometric) effects for tuning ORR catalysis. It further provides a brief overview of ORR catalytic enhancement with Pt-based NPs supported on graphene and coated with an ionic liquid. The review finally introduces some non-Pt NPs as a new generation of catalysts for ORR. The reported new syntheses with NP parameter-tuning capability should pave the way for future development of highly efficient catalysts for applications in fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and even in other important chemical reactions.

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