Insight perspective on the synthesis and morphological role of the noble and non-noble metal-based electrocatalyst in fuel cell application

In the modern era, we all depend on energy for everything. However, we have limited traditional energy sources like coal, petroleum etc. Various alternative energy sources have been developed to fulfill the energy requirements from time to time. Despite this, we are in continuous need of energy sources that are of low cost and cause less environmental pollution. To overwhelm prospective energy concerns, when the world is exploring ways for net carbon zero or negative carbon emissive energy techniques FCs are predicted as one of the clean energy origins with low operating temperatures and high energy modifications. Nevertheless, a superior and steady catalyst for the electrodes is essential for the electrochemical reactions in FCs to work efficiently. Noble and non-noble metal electrocatalysts are extensively utilized as catalysts for the transformation of energy within fuel cells (FCs). For many years many pieces of research have been done to enhance the performance of FC technology. The literature review shows the role of various metal/ polymer-based nanomaterials as anode catalysts to robust fuel cell performance by the electro-oxidation of alcohols. Here, we have demonstrated the different morphology of the stimulus (such as nanowires and nanospheres, nanotubes, nanodendrites, nanofibers and nanosheets) and fabrication methods (such as electrodeposition, electrospinning, wet chemical, chemical vapor deposition, solvothermal, reduction, microwave-assisted polyol synthesis method) in detail. Further, the role of different noble and non-noble metal catalysts in FC application in FC technology and the relationship between morphology, synthesis and composition of catalysts have been discussed. Finally, the advantages of the fuel cell, current challenges, and prospects in this field, with concluding remarks, have been presented at the end.