Advanced Catalytic Materials for Hydrogen Energy Production and Utilization

Hydrogen is widely recognized as a promising clean energy carrier that can facilitate the transition toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral energy future. The efficient production, storage, and utilization of hydrogen are essential for establishing a hydrogen-based energy economy. Catalytic materials play a pivotal role in a broad range of hydrogen-related processes, including water electrolysis for hydrogen production, fuel cells, and other hydrogen conversion technologies. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the development of advanced catalytic materials, such as nanostructured metals, alloys, intermetallic compounds, transition metal compounds, single-atom catalysts, and hybrid materials. Despite these advances, challenges remain in improving catalytic activity, durability, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness while gaining a deeper understanding of reaction mechanisms under practical operating conditions.This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for researchers to present the latest advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced catalytic materials for hydrogen energy production and utilization. Particular attention will be given to innovative strategies that enhance catalytic performance through composition engineering, structural regulation, interface design, electronic modulation, and defect engineering.The Topic seeks to address key scientific and technological challenges associated with hydrogen-related catalytic processes, including sluggish reaction kinetics, catalyst degradation, precious-metal dependence, and limited understanding of structure-activity relationships. Contributions exploring emerging catalyst systems, operando characterization techniques, theoretical modeling, and data-driven catalyst discovery are especially encouraged. By integrating fundamental studies with practical applications, this collection aims to promote the development of highly efficient, durable, and economically viable catalytic materials for next-generation hydrogen energy technologies.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, review articles, mini reviews, perspectives, and methods papers related to advanced catalytic materials for hydrogen energy production and utilization. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:• Catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and overall water splitting;• Catalysts for proton exchange membrane, alkaline, and solid oxide electrolysis systems;• Catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and fuel cell technologies;• Precious-metal-based, low-precious-metal, and non-precious-metal catalytic materials;• Single-atom catalysts, nanostructured catalysts, intermetallic compounds, and hybrid materials;• Interface engineering, defect engineering, and electronic structure modulation;• Operando/in situ characterization and advanced spectroscopy techniques;• Computational modeling, machine learning, and data-driven catalyst design;• Catalyst performance and degradation mechanisms under practical operating conditions.Submissions that bridge fundamental catalyst science and practical hydrogen energy applications are particularly encouraged. Topic editors: Kaixi Wang, Cheng-Zong Yuan, Bo Yan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83606/advanced-catalytic-materials-for-hydrogen-energy-production-and-utilization