Innovative Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cell and Battery Applications

The development of sustainable energy systems is essential to hinder global warming and environmental pollution emergencies. In recent decades, fuel cells and batteries have undoubtedly emerged as the most promising technologies for stationary, portable, and automotive applications. Their large-scale commercialization is closely related to the research on innovative electrocatalysts, which are able to achieve efficient, durable, and lowcost energy conversion and storage with a low environmental impact. Particularly, for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and their subcategories, the crossover between platinum scarcity, their high cost, and their low tolerance to alcohol has led to the requirement for alternative materials that can catalyze both oxygen reduction and fuel oxidation reactions in acid and alkaline environments. Further optimization could address the reliability and durability parameters that are required by the market when under critical temperature and relative humidity conditions. Regarding batteries, several drawbacks, such as their limited driving range, extended battery charging time, limited capacity, limited efficiency, and high storage system costs, have to be overcome by employing novel lowcost electrocatalysts that have high energy density, reversibility, and versatility. The development of outstanding bi-functional catalysts is essential for the simultaneous improvement of ORR and OER activities. This Special Issue deals with the preparation and characterization of novel electrocatalysts and their integration into efficient energy conversion and storage systems.