Design and Optimization of Anode Catalysts for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells: Advances and Challenges in C-C Bond Activation and Selective Modulation of the C1 Pathway

Authors

Kai-Chi Qin, Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry of Ministry of Education Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, PR China
Meng-Tian Huo, Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry of Ministry of Education Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, PR China
Yu Liang, Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry of Ministry of Education Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, PR China
Si-Yuan Zhu, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., Singapore 639798, Singapore
Zi-Hao Xing, Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry of Ministry of Education Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, PR ChinaFollow
Jin-Fa Chang, Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry of Ministry of Education Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, PR ChinaFollow

Corresponding Author

Zi-Hao Xing (xingzh612@nenu.edu.cn);
Jin-Fa Chang (changjinfa@nenu.edu.cn)

Abstract

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) are a promising alternative to conventional energy sources, offering high energy density, environmental sustainability, and operational safety. Compared to methanol fuel cells, DEFCs exhibit lower toxicity and a more mature preparation process. Unlike hydrogen fuel cells, DEFCs provide superior storage and transport feasibility, as well as cost-effectiveness, significantly enhancing their commercial viability. However, the stable C–C bond in ethanol creates a high activation energy barrier, often resulting in incomplete electrooxidation. Current commercial platinum (Pt)- and palladium (Pd)-based catalysts demonstrate low C–C bond cleavage efficiency (

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Direct ethanol fuel cells, Ethanol electrooxidation, C–C bond cleavage, Electrocatalysis, Anode catalyst

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.61558/2993-074X.3565

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Date

2025-08-28

Online Available Date

2025-06-03

Revised Date

2025-05-15

Received Date

2025-04-13

Recommended Citation

Kai-Chi Qin, Meng-Tian Huo, Yu Liang, Si-Yuan Zhu, Zi-Hao Xing, Jin-Fa Chang. Design and Optimization of Anode Catalysts for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells: Advances and Challenges in C-C Bond Activation and Selective Modulation of the C1 Pathway[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2025 , 31(8): 2515002.
DOI: 10.61558/2993-074X.3565
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol31/iss8/1