Platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts for cathodic oxygen reduction for use in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells : spectroscopic and mass transport studies

Today's high and growing energy demands are unsustainable given the cost and depleting nature of fossil fuel sources, and has long been accepted as a major factor in climate change. Due to these factors, alternative clean and renewable energy sources have long been an interest in both academic and industrial research. Electrochemical energy conversion has become one of the leading fields, encompassing both battery and fuel cell technology. Despite being less prevalent in todays society, and still more in the commercially primitive stages, fuel cells demonstrate several benefits over battery technology. Firstly, they can operate consistently, assuming a constant fuel supply, without the need of being shut down and recharged. Additionally, certain systems have potential for residual heat to be collected and used, with these systems being referred to as combined heat and power (CHP) devices.