This
new edition describes the state of the art regarding molecular catalysts such
as MN4 metal complexes, like porphyrins and phthalocyanines. This volume
focuses on the particular case of the electrocatalysis of the reduction of O₂
for practical applications in fuel cells and air batteries. Indeed, active and
stable materials have been developed in the last 5 years where MN4 catalytic
systems can be obtained by the pyrolysis of starting materials that do not
necessarily involve MN4 complexes. These latter systems constitute a new class
of stable and highly active non-precious metal catalysts for ORR that can
replace expensive Platinum containing electrodes. The book also offers
future projections and points out new fields of research and development
of these non-precious metal catalysts.