Catalysis is crucial in PEMFCs for both the anode and cathode reactions. At the anode, a catalyst typically made of platinum or a platinum alloy facilitates the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), splitting hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons. At the cathode, a similar catalyst enables the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), where oxygen molecules combine with protons and electrons to form water. The efficiency and performance of PEMFCs are heavily dependent on the effectiveness of these catalysts.
