Catalyst modification in direct ethanol fuel cell: an update

Abstract

The emergence of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) as a promising future power generation system stems from their eco-friendly nature and their safety for human consumption of ethanol fuels, aligning with the requirements of SDG-7. Furthermore, DEFCs offer extensive design flexibility, ranging from single-cell configurations to large multi-cell setups suitable for various applications such as portable devices, transportation, and stationary power systems. This versatility has led to a surge in research and development efforts from both academia and industry. However, the fundamental barrier to the widespread commercialization of DEFCs lies in obtaining high-activity redox reactions of catalysts, which involve ethanol oxidation and oxygen reduction. Conventional platinum-based catalysts are vulnerable to poisoning from intermediate species produced during ethanol oxidation. This review provides a detailed assessment of current catalyst modifications in DEFCs, focusing on material catalyst improvements in catalyst characterization and electrocatalytic activity to enhance overall cell performance. Thus, this research focuses on exploring updated modifications of catalyst materials that are robust, durable, and possess high catalytic activity, thereby aiding the redox reactions involved in ethanol energy conversion.