Electrode Design: Structure, Decoration and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Electrode design involves the rational control of the structural architecture and electrocatalytic activity of materials towards the enhancement of productivity, efficiency and durability of electrochemical technologies. Important applications for electrode reactions can be found in electrosynthesis, sensors, water treatment, water electrolysis, environmental remediation as well as in energy storage and conversion. Most of them rely on electrochemical flow reactors, although static cells and stirred tanks are also employed. Continued progress has taken electrode materials from 2D sheets and plates towards 3D textured and porous electrodes which have higher surface area, affording operation at higher currents, lower current densities and enhanced mass transfer. Nowadays, digital design and alternative manufacturing techniques have permitted the creation of electrode structures impossible to produce with traditional approaches.

An explosion of activity has delivered a diversity of advanced novel electrodes. We believe that the rapidly changing state of the art justify a reassessment of this research field. This Special Issue “Electrode Design: Structure, Decoration and Applications” aims to showcase recent developments, disruptive new concepts, validated simulations and creative applications of electrodes for electrochemical technologies. Submissions are expected to focus on the design, production, characterization and use of porous electrodes, although contributions on modified planar electrodes are also welcome.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• Novel electrode architectures for sustainable electrochemical applications and electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
• Porous electrodes based on cellular, periodic or open-foam structures.
• 3D-printing of digitally tailored electrode architectures and materials.
• Advanced imaging and metrology of porous electrodes (e.g. X-ray computed tomography).
• Electrodes decorated with novel electrocatalysts (e.g. nanoparticles).
• Hierarchical micro- and nanostructures at electrode surfaces.
• Metal- and oxide-based electrocatalysts, including composites and alloy coatings.
• Application of electrocatalysts using thermal and hydrothermal methods as well as anodization, galvanic replacement, plasma discharge and vapor deposition techniques.
• Porous electrodes based on perforated plates, foams, meshes, cloths, felts and ‘paper’. Templated porous scaffolds.
• Analytical and numerical models of current and potential distribution and hydrodynamics at such electrodes.

We hope this Special Issue will bring together diverse ideas in the field of electrode design and decoration, demonstrating exiting new applications and pointing out future directions in research and development.

Dr. Luis Fernando Arenas
Guest Editor

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