Core-shell nanostructured anode electrocatalysts impact on direct methanol fuel cells

Intriguing technologies, direct methanol fuel cells are not only could be classified as renewable energy devices, but also they are capable of considerably increasing the total energy efficiency. However, to these ends, the fuel must be supplied in a renewable manner; also, the overall efficiency of the cell is required to be sufficient, which means that methanol electro-oxidation catalysis (in the anode compartment) has to be appropriate. Various electrocatalyst architectures have been used to surmount sluggish methanol oxidation kinetics. Of the architectures, core-shell nanoparticles are a class of nanostructured materials which have recently attracted a lot of interest inasmuch as they show the potential to change the reaction mechanism to make it faster while reducing the cost for electrocatalysts. Herein, effects of core-shell structured anode electrocatalysts are compendiously discussed.

Keywords:

Methanol fuel cell , Core-shell , Nanoparticles , Electrocatalyst