Advances in Electrocatalytic Materials and Approaches for Fuel Cells and CO2 Conversion

Electrocatalysis plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies, particularly in fuel cells and electrochemical CO₂ conversion systems. The development of advanced electrocatalytic materials has significantly improved the efficiency, selectivity, and stability of these processes, addressing critical challenges associated with fossil fuel dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. In fuel cells, efficient catalysts are essential to enhance reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), while in CO₂ conversion, tailored catalytic systems enable the transformation of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and fuels. Recent advances in nanostructured materials, single-atom catalysts, and hybrid systems, combined with improved mechanistic understanding, are opening new opportunities to design next-generation electrocatalysts with superior performance.Despite significant progress, major challenges remain in achieving scalable, cost-effective, and durable electrocatalytic systems for both fuel cells and CO₂ conversion technologies. Catalyst degradation, limited selectivity toward desired products, and insufficient understanding of reaction mechanisms under realistic operating conditions hinder industrial deployment. This Research Topic aims to address these limitations by fostering contributions that explore innovative materials, advanced characterization techniques, and novel theoretical approaches. Emphasis will be placed on bridging fundamental research and practical applications, promoting strategies that enhance catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity. Furthermore, integrating emerging tools, such as operando spectroscopy, computational modeling, and machine learning, can accelerate catalyst discovery and optimization. By bringing together interdisciplinary efforts, this Topic seeks to advance the rational design of electrocatalysts and scalable systems for sustainable energy conversion and carbon utilization.This Research Topic welcomes contributions focused on the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced electrocatalytic materials for fuel cells and CO₂ conversion. Relevant themes include, but are not limited to: • Electrocatalysts for ORR and/or CO₂ electroreduction• Single-atom catalysts, nanostructured, and hybrid materials• Catalyst-support interactions and interface engineering• In situ and operando characterization techniques• Computational and data-driven approaches, including machine learning• Electrochemical reactor design and system integration. Studies addressing catalyst durability, scalability, and performance under realistic conditions are particularly encouraged. We invite Original Research articles, Reviews, and Perspectives that provide fundamental insights or demonstrate innovative technological solutions. Topic editors: Micaela Castellino, Mirtha A.O. Lourenço Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81065/advances-in-electrocatalytic-materials-and-approaches-for-fuel-cells-and-co2-conversion