Chapter 1
Introduction
Pei Kang Shen
Abstract This chapter mainly includes the overview of oxygen reduction reaction, the kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction, including the working
principle of proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the kinetic process of proton
exchange membrane fuel cell. Through the schematic diagram of proton exchange
membrane fuel cell, the working principle, cell structure, function display and
equation expression of fuel cell are explained in detail.
Keywords Kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction · Working principle ·
Voltage loss diagram · Proton exchange membrane fuel cell · Chemical energy to
electric energy
1.1 Overview of Oxygen Reduction Reaction
In our life, oxygen is an indispensable element to maintain the continuous metabolism
of matter and energy in human cells. Without oxygen, it is impossible for the organism
to obtain the energy needed for all life processes from nutrients. This is because
oxygen is the only substance that can accept electrons, but excessive inhalation of
oxygen can cause poisoning. Current research suggests that oxygen poisoning is
mainly due to excessive active oxygen produced in the body. The most common
reactive oxygen species in the body are superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide.
The life process of human body is actually a redox process, therefore, understanding
Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) is very helpful to understand the life process.
Oxygen reduction is also a very important process in our life and production. Lowtemperature fuel cells, metal-air cells, oxygen sensors and preparation of hydrogen
peroxide in the field of energy all involve the reduction process of oxygen. In fact, the
high overpotential and complex kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction seriously
restrict the development of new energy sources such as fuel cells. Therefore, the
P. K. Shen (B)
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Energy Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of
Electrochemical Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
e-mail: pkshen@gxu.edu.cn
© Guangxi Science & Technology Publishing House 2021
P. K. Shen, Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6077-8_1
1
Introduction
Pei Kang Shen
Abstract This chapter mainly includes the overview of oxygen reduction reaction, the kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction, including the working
principle of proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the kinetic process of proton
exchange membrane fuel cell. Through the schematic diagram of proton exchange
membrane fuel cell, the working principle, cell structure, function display and
equation expression of fuel cell are explained in detail.
Keywords Kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction · Working principle ·
Voltage loss diagram · Proton exchange membrane fuel cell · Chemical energy to
electric energy
1.1 Overview of Oxygen Reduction Reaction
In our life, oxygen is an indispensable element to maintain the continuous metabolism
of matter and energy in human cells. Without oxygen, it is impossible for the organism
to obtain the energy needed for all life processes from nutrients. This is because
oxygen is the only substance that can accept electrons, but excessive inhalation of
oxygen can cause poisoning. Current research suggests that oxygen poisoning is
mainly due to excessive active oxygen produced in the body. The most common
reactive oxygen species in the body are superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide.
The life process of human body is actually a redox process, therefore, understanding
Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) is very helpful to understand the life process.
Oxygen reduction is also a very important process in our life and production. Lowtemperature fuel cells, metal-air cells, oxygen sensors and preparation of hydrogen
peroxide in the field of energy all involve the reduction process of oxygen. In fact, the
high overpotential and complex kinetic mechanism of oxygen reduction seriously
restrict the development of new energy sources such as fuel cells. Therefore, the
P. K. Shen (B)
Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Energy Materials, Guangxi Key Laboratory of
Electrochemical Energy Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
e-mail: pkshen@gxu.edu.cn
© Guangxi Science & Technology Publishing House 2021
P. K. Shen, Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6077-8_1
1