Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells

Catalysts | Special Issue : Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells Fuel cells are expected to come into widespread commercial use in the areas of transportation, stationary and portable power generation, and thus will help solve the global problems of energy supply and clean environment. Despite their great promise, commercialization has been hindered by lower than predicted efficiencies and the high cost of electrocatalysts in the electrodes. The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction is one of the main reasons for the high overpotential in a hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In other types of low temperature fuel cells, for instance direct alcohol fuel cells, the slow fuel oxidation reactions is another major contribution to their low performance. Thus, the development of more active catalysts for both anodic and cathodic reactions is essential for the wide adoption of fuel cells. Recent intensive research efforts have led to the development of less expensive and more abundant electrocatalysts for fuel cells. This Special Issue aims to cover recent progress and trends in designing, synthesizing, characterizing and evaluating advanced electrocatalysts for both anode and cathode, and theoretical understanding in fuel cell reactions.