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Review

Sustainable Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Advancing Beyond Platinum Scarcity with Low-Pt Alloys and Non-Pt Systems

by
Liangdong Zhao
and
Yankun Jiang
*
School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5086; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115086
Submission received: 28 March 2025 / Revised: 28 May 2025 / Accepted: 31 May 2025 / Published: 1 June 2025
(This article belongs to the Topic Clean Energy Technologies and Assessment, 2nd Edition)

Abstract

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) represent a promising pathway for energy conversion, yet their reliance on platinum-group metal (PGM)-based anode catalysts poses critical sustainability challenges, which stem from finite mineral reserves, environmentally detrimental extraction processes, and prohibitive lifecycle costs. Current anode catalysts for DMFCs are dominated by platinum materials; therefore, this review systematically evaluates the following three emerging eco-efficient design paradigms using platinum materials as a starting point: (1) the atomic-level optimization of low-Pt alloy surfaces to maximize catalytic efficiency per metal atom, (2) Earth-abundant transition metal compounds (e.g., nitrides and sulfides) and coordination-tunable metal–organic frameworks as viable PGM-free alternatives, and (3) mechanically robust carbon architectures with engineered topological defects that enhance catalyst stability through covalent metal–carbon interactions. Through comparative analysis with pure Pt benchmarks, we critically examine how these strategic material innovations collectively mitigate CO intermediate poisoning risks and improve electrochemical durability. Such fundamental advances in catalyst design not only address immediate technical barriers, but also establish essential material foundations for the development of DMFC technologies compatible with circular economy frameworks and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 targets.
Keywords: direct methanol fuel cells; sustainable catalyst materials; anode catalysts; platinum-group metal alternatives; carbon supports direct methanol fuel cells; sustainable catalyst materials; anode catalysts; platinum-group metal alternatives; carbon supports

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, L.; Jiang, Y. Sustainable Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Advancing Beyond Platinum Scarcity with Low-Pt Alloys and Non-Pt Systems. Sustainability 2025, 17, 5086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115086

AMA Style

Zhao L, Jiang Y. Sustainable Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Advancing Beyond Platinum Scarcity with Low-Pt Alloys and Non-Pt Systems. Sustainability. 2025; 17(11):5086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115086

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Liangdong, and Yankun Jiang. 2025. "Sustainable Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Advancing Beyond Platinum Scarcity with Low-Pt Alloys and Non-Pt Systems" Sustainability 17, no. 11: 5086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115086

APA Style

Zhao, L., & Jiang, Y. (2025). Sustainable Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Advancing Beyond Platinum Scarcity with Low-Pt Alloys and Non-Pt Systems. Sustainability, 17(11), 5086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115086

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