Recent advancements in interfacial structure of catalyst layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

<p indent="0mm">The reaction process of fuel cells is a complex system involving gas-liquid-solid three-phase boundary reaction and gas-water-electricity-heat multi-physics transfer. The design of catalyst/ionomer interfaces and porous structures with optimal properties is essential for improving fuel cell efficiency and reducing Pt usage. This perspective summarizes the latest advances in catalyst slurry composition optimization, transport channel ordering, key material development, and Pt/ionomer interface tailoring, based on the reaction mechanisms of key components in the catalyst layer at different scales. Also, this perspective provides a new insight into designing the electrified interface by the intermolecular interaction theory.