In this study, pristine MnO₂ catalyst was synthesized by hydrothermal technique and annealed at 400 and 600°C (MnO₂@400°C and MnO₂@600°C) transforming it into nanorods in a nitrogen atmosphere. The heat treatment process ameliorates the catalytic activity of the MnO₂ catalyst by inducing oxygen vacancies. The catalyst is characterized by scanning electron microscope, and X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, whereas the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity examined through rotating disc electrode and fuel cell test station. To elucidate the effect of sintering temperature on the MnO₂ nanorods, the high angle annular dark‐field (HAADF) imaging was carried out on the samples. MnO₂@400°C showed preeminent robustness to withstand austere alkaline environment during the experiment and possessed high electrocatalytic activity for the ORR with current density and onset potential values of 6.4 mA cm^–2 and 0.80 V VS (RHE), respectively. The single‐cell test experiment of alkaline fuel cell delivered peak power density 81 mW/cm at 50°C. It is believed that this idiosyncratic behavior of MnO₂ nanorods is due to the preferential growth on (211) and (310) indices and coexistence of optimized Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ oxidation states as well as the creation of optimum oxygen vacancies on MnO₂ nanorods. Moreover, the stretching of MnO₂ nanorods occurs with increasing temperature and thus increasing the surface area to volume ratio. Thus thermal treatment shows that MnO₂ is highly sensitive toward temperature variation and optimum ORR results can be obtained at adequate temperatures.

A highly active Platinum Group Metal (PGM) and non-PGM electrocatalysts with thermally extruded nanotubes have been prepared for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell by sintering Nickel zeolitic imidazole framework (Ni-ZIF). Preeminent electro-catalytic activities have been observed through single fuel cell tests and rotating disk electrode (RDE). This study involves the comparison of Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activities and fuel cell (FC) test station performance of two catalyst Nickel and Platinum mixed Nickel nanotubes (Ni NT, Ni/Pt NT) respectively. The acidic cells with corresponding Ni and Ni/Pt catalysts delivers peak power densities of 325 mWcm^-2 and 455 mWcm^-2 at 75 °C inside fuel cell. Our results indicate that, the synthesized Nickel nanotubes has profound effect on catalytic performance of both PGM and non-PGM electro catalysts.

Recently, a tremendous upsurge in the research of Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has been documented due to cheap electricity production and without harming the environment. The development of efficient SOFCs requires more robust cathode for oxygen reduction. Until yet a copious amount of research has been done on varieties of materials including LSCF. In this work, Ruthenium is doped on the LSCF forming nanostructured Ru-LSCF with various Ru stoichiometric quantities. The Ru-LSCF catalyst is prepared via simplistic technique “Glycine combustion process”, producing evenly embedded Ru in LSCF perovskite materials leading to increased oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The nanostructured Ru-LSCF cathode showed polarization resistance of approximately 0.031 Ωm² at 750 ⁰C. The peak powers of approximately 1760.5, 1480.1, 893.3 mW/cm² were recorded at 750, 700, and 650 ⁰C, respectively. Ru LSCF was quantitatively optimized for enhanced power production with high precision calculation. The results show that the Ru-LSCF optimum fabricated nanostructured cathode is promising catalyst for the reduction of oxygen at the cathode side for highly durable SOFCs.

In the field of fuel cell technology, the development of cost-effective catalysts is crucial for the commercialization of Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells (AMFCs). Platinum (Pt) has traditionally been employed as the catalyst in AMFCs, but its high cost poses a major barrier to widespread adoption. In this study, a new catalyst material was developed by incorporating Manganese Dioxide (α-MnO₂) into Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) using hydrothermal synthesis techniques. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and its electrocatalytic activity was evaluated through Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and CV through Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) experiments. The results showed that the α-MnO₂-CNT composite displayed strong durability in the alkaline environment and high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The LSV measurements revealed a current density of -4.1 mA/cm² and an overpotential of -0.3V relative to Standard Calomel Electrode (SCE) in a 0.1M KOH electrolyte. Additionally, the α-MnO₂-CNT composite displayed high methanol tolerance and long-term stability compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts. This study demonstrates that the use of α-MnO₂-CNT as a cost-effective alternative to Pt has the potential to facilitate the commercialization of AMFC technology.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), an electrochemical power generating technology, uses a precious metal Platinum (Pt) catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR), which is a major hindrance in its commercialization. Using a non-precious group metal (NPGM) instead of Pt will reduces the cost of PEMFCs. Herein MnO2 carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by impregnating the transition metal in large surface carbonaceous material CNTs by hydrothermal synthesis techniques. To enhance the catalytic reaction and increase the volumetric current density, the sample was pyrolyzed at 800 0C temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. During pyrolysis, the nitrogen was also doped in the framework of carbonaceous materials. The materials were then treated with acid, removing the unreacted metals and adding oxygen functional group to the CNT framework due to which the activity of the catalyst is amplified. The catalysts have been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Catalyst activity has been calculated by Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) experiment. The resulting materials are stronger in experimental conditions in alkaline environment and have high electro catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) depicts a current density of - 4.0 mA/cm2 and over potential of -0.3V vs. Standard Calomel Electrode (SCE) in 0.1M KOH electrolyte. Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) was conducted at 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 rpm. The results of MnO2CNT show a desirable future aspect in fuel cell commercialization.