Current Status and Future Development of Catalyst Materials and Catalyst Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: An Industrial Perspective

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have already penetrated many commercial markets (e.g., portable power, backup power, materials handling, and buses) and are poised to greatly expand in the automotive market with both Toyota and Hyundai recently commercializing small fleets. As this occurs, catalysts for PEMFCs will experience ever greater demands on cost, activity, and durability. This Perspective outlines the technology timeline and characteristics of the most promising catalysts currently being developed and discusses the remaining challenges for both platinum group metal and nonprecious metal catalysts. Finally, the importance of combined catalyst and catalyst layer design strategies is highlighted, and a brief discussion on the future outlook of this field is provided.