Review and Development of Anode Electrocatalyst Carriers for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) can be used as a promising portable power device due to its excellent energy conversion efficiency and low pollutant emissions. The performance of DMFC largely depends on the anode electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). As an important part of the electrocatalyst, the carrier greatly affects the activity and stability of the electrocatalyst. Herein, the research progress of carbonaceous carriers (such as activated carbon, nanostructured carbon), noncarbonaceous carriers (metal compounds), and conducting polymers in DMFC is reviewed. Furthermore, an overview of the development of self-supporting carriers for flexible DMFC electronics is presented. Its role as the most ideal DMFC carrier in the future provides new ideas for the challenges and development of the commercialization of flexible DMFC.