The field of sustainable energy conversion technologies is at the forefront of research aimed at addressing pressing global energy and environmental challenges. Fuel cells, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol or formic acid fuel cells, have emerged as efficient platforms for generating electricity with high energy densities and zero carbon emissions. Concurrently, water-splitting electrolyzers—such as alkaline, proton exchange membrane, and anion exchange membrane systems—are pivotal in producing green hydrogen, further enabling a transition towards carbon-neutral energy cycles. However, the widespread deployment of these technologies is currently hampered by the high cost, scarcity, and limited durability of commercial catalysts, underscoring the need for advanced materials to drive the next generation of sustainable energy devices.
Recent studies have underscored that advanced functional nanomaterials can offer superior electrocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity by virtue of their tunable surface and interface chemistries. Research has focused on both noble metal-based and noble metal-free catalyst systems, as well as the exploration of high-entropy alloys with enhanced catalytic properties. Significant advances in novel synthetic methodologies have enabled precise control over catalyst composition, nanostructure, and morphology, thereby opening new avenues for tailoring performance at the atomic or molecular level. Nonetheless, critical questions remain regarding the precise structure-performance relationships and the fundamental mechanisms at play at catalyst interfaces, where electric fields, hydrogen-bond networks, and proton transfer processes can significantly influence device behavior.
This Research Topic aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that drive the development, understanding, and application of advanced functional nanomaterials as electrocatalysts in sustainable fuel cells and water splitting devices. It encourages submissions that elucidate atomic- and molecular-scale insights into catalyst structure-performance relations, explore surface and interface chemistries, and introduce innovative material design and synthesis strategies. By fostering a multidisciplinary dialogue, the topic seeks to accelerate the realization of efficient, durable, and economically viable energy conversion systems.
To gather further insights in the field of advanced functional nanomaterials for sustainable energy conversion devices, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Noble metal-based catalyst development and optimization
• Exploration of noble metal-free catalyst systems
• High-entropy alloy catalysts for energy conversion
• Novel synthetic methodologies for nanomaterial electrocatalysts
• Structure-performance relationships in electrocatalysts
• Electrode surface and interface chemistries (e.g., electric fields, hydrogen-bond networks, and proton transfer)
• Atomic and molecular insights into catalytic mechanisms
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: Catalysts, Fuel cells, Electrolyzers, Structure-performance relations, Surface chemistries
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
