Rare Earth Ce/CeO2 Electrocatalysts: Role of High Electronic Spin State of Ce and Ce3+/Ce4+ Redox Couple on Oxygen Reduction Reaction

With unique 4f electronic shells, rare earth metal-based catalysts have been attracting tremendous attention in electrocatalysis, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In particular, atomically dispersed Ce/CeO2-based catalysts have been explored extensively due to several unique features. This review article provides a comprehensive understanding of (i) the significance of the effect of Ce high-spin state on ORR activity enhancement on the Pt and non-pt electrocatalysts, (ii) the spatially confining and stabilizing effect of ceria on the generation of atomically dispersed transition metal-based catalysts, (iii) experimental and theoretical evidence of the effect of Ce3+ ↔ Ce4+ redox pain on radical scavenging, (iv) the effect of the Ce 4f electrons on the d-band center and electron transfer between Ce to the N-doped carbon and transition metal catalysts for enhanced ORR activity, and (v) the effect of Pt/CeO2/carbon heterojunctions on the stability of the Pt/CeO2/carbon electrocatalyst for ORR. Among several strategies of synthesizing Ce/CeO2 electrocatalysts, the metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived catalysts are being perused extensively due to the tendency of Ce to readily coordinate with O- and N-containing ligands, which upon undergoing pyrolysis, results in the formation of high surface area, porous carbon networks with atomically dispersed metallic/clusters/nanoparticles of Ce active sites. This review paper provides an overview of recent advancements regarding Ce/CeO2-based catalysts derived from the MOF precursor for ORR in fuel cells and metal–air battery applications and we conclude with insights into key issues and future development directions.