Rh porphyrin-based electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have increasing attractions as a power generator for nextgeneration vehicles and stationary cogeneration systems of electricity and heat. Wide spread of PEFCs is prevented by the limitation of Pt electrocatalysts. We try to develop metallocomplex-based anode catalysts to overcome some of the problems of the Pt catalysts. Among the metallocomplexes, Rh porphyrins exhibit high activity toward electrocatalytic oxidation of various fuel-related compounds such as CO, oxalic acid, sugars, alcohols, hydrazine derivatives, and borohydride. In this review, the development and analysis of Rh porphyrins-based electrocatalysts are summarized, and the benefits that are not observed in Pt catalysts are discussed.