Research progress of metal oxide supports for fuel cells electrocatalysts

Fuel cell technology, as a new way of energy conversion, is widely used in various fields. At present, the electrocatalyst, as one of the key components of the electrochemical reaction of fuel cells, still suffers from the problems of high cost, low activity and poor stability. Excellent fuel cell electrocatalysts must have excellent catalytic activity, anti-poisoning ability, electrical conductivity and stability. Metal oxides with corrosion resistance, electrochemical stability and strong metal support interaction effects have been intensively studied. The influence of the synthesis method on the catalytic performance is also crucial. In this review, the importance of fuel cells and their catalysts is introduced. The characteristics of catalysts with three metal oxides, titanium dioxide, cerium dioxide and tungsten oxide, as supports, preparation methods and applications in different fuel cells are reviewed. The synthesis of metal oxide supported catalysts by impregnation, precipitation and hydrothermal methods is described. Finally, the research on metal oxide supported catalysts is prospected. Electrocatalysts are key materials for fuel cell technology. Metal oxides have unique advantages as catalyst supports and have great potential for use in fuel cell catalysts. This paper provides an overview of the properties, preparation methods and applications in different fuel cells based on three metal oxides: TiO2, CeO2 and WOx catalysts. It also outlines the synthesis of metal oxide support catalysts by impregnation, precipitation and hydrothermal methods. image