Abstract:
In direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs), energy conversion co-occurs at the anode
(alcohol oxidation reaction [AOR]) and cathode (oxygen reduction reaction
[ORR]). The sluggishness of AOR and ORR needs highly electrocatalytically active
and stable electrocatalysts that boost electrokinetics, which is central in elec
trocatalysts’ architectural design and modulation. This design entails enhanced
engineering synthesis protocols, heteroatomic doping, metallic doping/alloying,
and deliberate introduction of defective motifs within the electrocatalyst matrix.
The electrocatalyst activity and behavior depend on the electrocatalysts’ nature,
type, composition, and reaction media, acidic or alkaline. Alkaline media permits
cheap nonplatinum group metals. This review elucidates the roles and electro
catalytic pathways on different AOR and ORR electrocatalysts and outlines the
aspects distinguishing ORR in alkaline and acidic media. It gives up-to-date and
ultramodern strategies, protocols, and underlying mechanisms pointing to the
efficacy and efficiency of electrocatalysts. The focus centers on heteroatomic,
metallic dopants, defects effects correlated to electrocatalytic properties and
experimental and theoretical findings. For the advancement in the field, the
present study discusses critical parameters for improving the performances of
electrocatalysts for DAFCs and breakthroughs on the horizon. Conclusively,
knowledge gaps and prospects of these materials fo
