Progress in non-noble metal oxygen reduction electrocatalysts based on MOFs

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are favored in the field of new energy vehicles because of their cleanliness, high efficiency, quietness, high power density, low operating temperature, fast start-up and power matching. With the realization of mass production of fuel cell vehicles in many countries in the world in recent years, its large-scale promotion is imperative. However, the PEMFC cathode uses a high-load platinum (Pt)-based catalyst, which has greatly hindered the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles because of high cost. Pt is the most effective electrocatalyst for the low-temperature fuel cell cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). On one hand, it can greatly reduce the amount of Pt through alloying and single-atom layer design. On the other hand, it can develop alternative high-activity and high-stability non-noble metals. The catalyst process is considered the ultimate solution. Among the many types of non-noble metal catalysts, the ORR activity and lifetime of the carbon-nitrogen-transition metal series non-noble metal catalysts are particularly worthy of attention. Non-precious metal ORR electrocatalysts based on metal organic framework materials (MOFs) have been extensively studied for their excellent properties. This paper introduces the characteristics and advantages of MOFs materials in detail and reviews the research status of carbon-nitrogen-transition metal ORR electrocatalysts based on MOFs materials at home and abroad in recent years, including Fe-based MOFs catalysts, Co-based MOFs catalysts, and bimetal MOFs catalysts. It also analyzes and forecasts the bottlenecks and challenges encountered in the research. In the future, we need to conduct in-depth research on the activity and stability of membrane electrodes.