New generation of metal-based composite electrode materials for direct formic acid fuel cell

Conducting polymer-metal composites have attracted much attention due to their novel properties, which are different from those of pure conducting polymers and metals. They are more welcomed for better economic and ecofriendly properties, because of the homogenous dispersion and decreased dosage of noble metal particles inside the conducting polymer matrix. The conducting polymer-metal composites have also been proved to exhibit better catalytic performance than that of the bulk metal electrodes. In this short review, a series of conducting polymer-metal composite catalysts have been evaluated on their electrocatalytic performance for formic acid oxidation. It is proposed that the enhanced performance may be due to the synergies between metal particles (Pt, Pt-M) and conducting polymer.