Recent advances in constructing efficient electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction

In the past decade, direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFCs) has become a promising advanced power system, which could greatly reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, thus it always attracts more attentions. Despite of making great efforts, intractable problems including activity and stability of electrocatalysts as well as selective cracking of C-C bond still need be further resolved. Therefore, the development of efficient electrocatalysts towards ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is a key target, which can facilitate the commercialization of DEFCs. In this mini review, Pt, Pd, Rh-based precious metal electrocatalysts, non-precious metal and metal-free materials for EOR are briefly summarized. The reaction mechanism and design principle are both firstly introduced. Then the structure-activity relationships of precious metal electrocatalysts, non-precious metal and metal-free materials are clearly revealed by combining experiment results with calculation results. Here, in-situ characterization and DFT calculation are focused on. Finally, development direction of precious metal catalysts, non-precious metal catalysts and metal-free catalysts for EOR are discussed. This work provides new insights into the design of effective electrocatalysts for EOR.