A Critical Review of Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies of Nitrogen Dopant Leaching in PEMFC Catalysts

Nitrogen-doping of platinum/carbon (Pt/C) catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have garnered significant attention due to its potential to enhance catalyst performance by improving the dispersion and stability of Pt nanoparticles. However, the leaching of nitrogen dopants (N-dopants) under the harsh operational conditions of PEMFCs presents a formidable challenge, leading to catalyst degradation and reduced fuel cell efficiency. Understanding this issue is critical for advancing the development of durable and cost-effective PEMFC catalysts. This review critically examines the mechanisms of N-dopant leaching, encompassing electrochemical factors. By integrating insights from recent experimental and theoretical studies, this review recognizes the primary causes of N-dopant leaching and evaluates various mitigation strategies. Key findings include the identification of specific degradation pathways and the effectiveness of different stabilization techniques. The implications of these findings suggest new directions for catalyst design, aiming to improve the stability and longevity of N-doped Pt/C catalysts for PEMFC. This review concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for continued exploration of innovative approaches to enhance the durability of N-doped Pt/C catalysts.