Non‐precious Metal Oxides and Metal Carbides for ORR in Alkaline‐Based Fuel Cells

Recently, the growth in demand for cost‐effective non‐precious cathodes that can catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with high activity and stability has increased significantly for application in alkaline fuel cells and metal–air batteries. This chapter reviews the literature on the current developments and recent progress in the field of nonprecious metal‐based electrocatalysts in alkaline‐based fuel cells, focusing particularly on ORR performance and stability of single‐metal oxides, mixed‐metal oxides as well as metal carbides. Among these candidates, mixed‐metal oxides in the form of perovskite and spinel phase with carefully controlled compositions and structures can provide an optimal balance of ORR activity and chemical stability in alkaline media. Despite significant progress achieved in the field of non‐precious metal‐based catalytic materials, the observed ORR activity and stability are still lower than those of commercial Pt‐based catalysts. In order to advance on this progress, further research and development efforts are required in order to achieve the ORR activity and durability targets required for practical application in commercial alkaline fuel cells.