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In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green...
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In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026 | Viewed by 11434

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Manuela Bevilacqua

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
2. Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM-CNR), University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Interests: electrochemistry; electrocatalysis; renewable energy; metal-free electrocatalysts; carbon dioxide reduction reaction; oxygen reduction reaction; nitrogen reduction reaction
Prof. Dr. Yanxin Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, China
Interests: photochemical/photoelectrochemical energy conversion; photocatalysis and photo-reforming; self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays; direct ethanol fuel cells; electrochemically shape-controlled synthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The energy crisis that we are witnessing today and the growing number of related environmental problems indicate the need to explore more sustainable energy sources that can reduce our great dependence on fossil-based fuels. The challenges we face in regard to energy storage and production and utilization approaches require that we develop alternative and sustainable routes, of which one of the most promising alternatives, in terms of sustainability and the possibility of controlled environmental impact, may be electrochemistry/electrocatalysis.

Different electrocatalytic processes could be used to target the above-mentioned challenges, i.e., the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The benefit of these processes is described by the concept of “value added output”, achieved through the production of energy or energy vectors, as well as fuels and industrially useful building blocks.

The aim of this Special Issue, entitled “In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters Toward Green and Sustainable Processes”, is to investigate the latest approaches to the design, development and characterization of high-efficiency electrocatalysts for ORR, CO2RR and NRR electrocatalysis, with descriptions of the key features of different materials that can be defined as good candidates for sustainability.

Publications focused on the preparation, in-depth characterization and specific working conditions of different electrocatalytic materials for electrocatalytic reduction reactions  (metal-based, metal-free, carbon-based, etc.) are of great interest and welcome for submission to this Special Issue, which aims to provide useful suggestions for upcoming and future studies in this highly topical research field.

Dr. Manuela Bevilacqua
Prof. Dr. Yanxin Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • electrochemistry
  • electrocatalysis
  • fuel cells and electrolyzers
  • hydrogen energy vector
  • electroreforming
  • renewable energy
  • renewable feedstock
  • valuable chemicals
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2329 KB  
Article
Facet-Engineered Parallel Ni(OH)2 Arrays for Enhanced Bubble Dynamics and Durable Alkaline Seawater Electrolysis
by Luan Liu, Hongru Liu, Baorui Jia, Xuanhui Qu and Mingli Qin
Catalysts 2025, 15(12), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15121144 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 423
Abstract
Electrolysis of seawater is considered a green route for hydrogen generation; however, its practical application is limited by strong electrode corrosion and slow OER kinetics in chloride-rich media. Herein, we report a crystal-facet engineering strategy to construct nickel hydroxide with a parallel array [...] Read more.
Electrolysis of seawater is considered a green route for hydrogen generation; however, its practical application is limited by strong electrode corrosion and slow OER kinetics in chloride-rich media. Herein, we report a crystal-facet engineering strategy to construct nickel hydroxide with a parallel array structure on nickel foil (denoted as Ni(OH)2/NFPA, where NFPA represents nickel foil with parallel array) via a facile two-step etching-hydrothermal method. Structural characterization confirms the formation of high-index Ni(220) surfaces and well-aligned hydroxide nanostripes, which promote more favorable bubble–electrode interactions and contribute to improved interfacial stability. Owing to its characteristic parallel array configuration, Ni(OH)2/NFPA exhibits outstanding OER performance in alkaline electrolyte, delivering a low overpotential of 256 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 together with a Tafel slope as small as 74.9 mV·dec−1, surpassing commercial RuO2 and disordered Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. The optimized electrode also delivers remarkable durability, maintaining stable operation for 48 h at 100 mA·cm−2 even under harsh alkaline seawater conditions at 80 °C. Bubble dynamics analysis reveals that the ordered array morphology produces a superaerophobic surface, enabling rapid detachment of oxygen bubbles and ensuring efficient mass transport. This study highlights facet-controlled construction of parallel nanoarrays as a promising approach to improve catalytic efficiency, corrosion resistance, and bubble management in seawater electrolysis, offering useful implications for the rational design of high-performance electrodes for practical hydrogen production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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16 pages, 2905 KB  
Article
Development of a Au/TiO2/Ti Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a Bicarbonate Medium
by Mostafizur Rahaman, Md. Fahamidul Islam, Mohebul Ahsan, Mohammad Imran Hossain, Faruq Mohammad, Tahamida A. Oyshi, Md. Abu Rashed, Jamal Uddin and Mohammad A. Hasnat
Catalysts 2025, 15(11), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15111074 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1171
Abstract
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a pivotal electrochemical process in energy technologies and in the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which serves as both an effective agent for dye degradation and a fuel in H2O2 [...] Read more.
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a pivotal electrochemical process in energy technologies and in the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which serves as both an effective agent for dye degradation and a fuel in H2O2-based fuel cells. In this regard, a titanium (Ti) sheet was anodized to generate a TiO2 layer, and then the oxide layer was modified with gold (presented as Au/TiO2/Ti) via electrodeposition. The developed electrocatalyst was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which showed characteristic binding energies for Ti4+ in TiO2 and metallic Au. In addition, the Nyquist plot verified the electrode modification process, since the diameter of the semicircular arc, corresponding to charge transfer resistance, significantly decreased due to Au deposition. Voltametric studies revealed that the TiO2 layer with a Ti surface exhibited a good synergistic effect on Au and the ORR in a bicarbonate medium (0.1 M KHCO3) by lowering the overpotential, enhancing current density, and boosting durability. The scan rate-dependent study of the ORR produced by the developed electrocatalyst showed a Tafel slope of 180 ± 2 mV dec−1 over a scan rate range of 0.05–0.4 V s−1, thereby indicating a 2e− transfer process in which the initial electron transfer process was the rate-limiting step. The study also revealed that the Au/TiO2/Ti electrode caused oxygen electro-reduction with a heterogenous rate constant (k0) of 4.40×10−3 cm s−1 at a formal potential (E0′) of 0.54 V vs. RHE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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17 pages, 2957 KB  
Article
Constructing CuO/Co3O4 Catalysts with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies to Achieve the Efficient Catalytic Oxidation of Ethyl Acetate
by Jinlong Wen, Ziying Hu, Hongpeng Jia, Jing Chen and Can-Zhong Lu
Catalysts 2025, 15(6), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060538 - 28 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1325
Abstract
The construction of multicomponent transition metal oxide catalysts can effectively increase the surface defects of catalysts, and bring a synergistic effect from different components, thus enhancing the generation of reactive oxygen species and improving the catalytic activity of catalysts for volatile organic compounds [...] Read more.
The construction of multicomponent transition metal oxide catalysts can effectively increase the surface defects of catalysts, and bring a synergistic effect from different components, thus enhancing the generation of reactive oxygen species and improving the catalytic activity of catalysts for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) oxidation. In this article, CuO/Co3O4 catalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies for the degradation of ethyl acetate was prepared by a simple impregnation method. The effect of the ratio of Co/Cu on the redox capacity, oxygen vacancy, active oxygen species and catalytic oxidation activity of ethyl acetate were studied. The 90% conversion and mineralization temperatures of ethyl acetate for the optimal catalyst Co3O4-20Cu are 211 and 214 °C (WHSV = 60,000 mL/(g·h), 1000 ppm ethyl acetate), which also shows good stability and excellent water vapor resistance. Compared with pure Co3O4, the CuO/Co3O4 catalysts have more oxygen vacancies, provide more reactive oxygen species, allowing the catalyst better low-temperature reduction. Through in situ DRIFTS study, the intermediates of ethyl acetate decomposition were analyzed, then a possible catalytic oxidation mechanism of ethyl acetate on the Co3O4-20Cu catalyst was proposed. In addition, we prepared a Co3O4-20Cu/cordierite monolithic catalyst on the basis of Co3O4-20Cu, exhibiting a good catalytic activity in degradation of ethyl acetate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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17 pages, 3214 KB  
Article
Enhanced Oxygen Reduction with Ethanol Tolerant Ni-Te Nanoparticles on Carbon Support Through Vapour-Solid Preparation
by Daniel Garstenauer, Ondřej Zobač, Franz Jirsa, Freddy Kleitz and Klaus W. Richter
Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040368 - 10 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1195
Abstract
Recent endeavours to promote the widespread use of renewable and sustainable energy technologies depend heavily on the development and design of new catalytic materials. In this context, intermetallic compounds have come into the spotlight of recent research as a promising material class to [...] Read more.
Recent endeavours to promote the widespread use of renewable and sustainable energy technologies depend heavily on the development and design of new catalytic materials. In this context, intermetallic compounds have come into the spotlight of recent research as a promising material class to tune the catalytic properties and stability for various uses. In this work, vapour–solid synthesis is highlighted as an outstanding method for its control over the composition and crystal structure of prepared intermetallic nanoparticles. Carbon black-supported nickel-telluride nanoparticles of different compositions and crystallographic structures have been synthesised and investigated regarding their oxygen reduction reaction performance in alkaline media. The relation between catalytic activity and ethanol tolerance depending on the various intermetallic phases has been investigated. The addition of tellurium into nickel-based nanoparticles allowed a two-fold increase of the mass activity from 43.6 A gNi−1 for Ni/C to 88.5 A gNi−1 for Ni-Te/C. Onset and half-wave potentials were comparable to commercial Pt/C benchmark catalyst. Furthermore, chronoamperometric testing showed that the ethanol-tolerant Ni-Te/C catalysts were stable under electrocatalytic conditions during in alkaline media. The trend in catalytic activity of the Ni-Te phases was followed the order: Ni3Te2 > NiTe > NiTe2−x > Ni. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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16 pages, 8643 KB  
Article
Tuning the Surface Oxophilicity of PdAu Alloy Nanoparticles to Favor Electrochemical Reactions: Hydrogen Oxidation and Oxygen Reduction in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
by Maria V. Pagliaro, Lorenzo Poggini, Marco Bellini, Lorenzo Fei, Tailor Peruzzolo and Hamish A. Miller
Catalysts 2025, 15(4), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040306 - 24 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 887
Abstract
Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are versatile power generation devices that can be fed by both gaseous (H2) and liquid fuels. The development of sustainable, efficient, and stable catalysts for the oxidation of hydrogen (HOR) and oxygen reduction (ORR) under [...] Read more.
Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are versatile power generation devices that can be fed by both gaseous (H2) and liquid fuels. The development of sustainable, efficient, and stable catalysts for the oxidation of hydrogen (HOR) and oxygen reduction (ORR) under alkaline conditions remains a challenge currently facing AEMFC technology. Reducing the loading of PGMs is essential for reducing the overall cost of AEMFCs. One strategy involves exploiting the synergistic effects of two metals in bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we report that the activity for the HOR and the ORR can be finely tuned through surface engineering of carbon-supported PdAu-PVA NPs. The activity for both ORR and HOR can be adjusted by subjecting the material to heat treatment. Specifically, heat treatment at 500 °C under an inert atmosphere increases the crystallinity and oxophilicity of the nanoparticles, thereby enhancing anodic HOR performance. On the contrary, heat treatment significantly lowers ORR activity, highlighting how reduced surface oxophilicity plays a major role in increasing active sites for ORR. The tailored activity in these catalysts translates into high power densities when employed in AEMFCs (up to 1.1 W cm−2). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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13 pages, 3067 KB  
Article
CO2 Electroreduction by Engineering the Cu2O/RGO Interphase
by Matteo Bisetto, Sourav Rej, Alberto Naldoni, Tiziano Montini, Manuela Bevilacqua and Paolo Fornasiero
Catalysts 2024, 14(7), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14070412 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2292
Abstract
In the present investigation, Cu2O-based composites were successfully prepared through a multistep method where cubic Cu2O nanoparticles (CU Cu2O) have been grown on Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) nanosheets. The structural and morphological properties of the materials have [...] Read more.
In the present investigation, Cu2O-based composites were successfully prepared through a multistep method where cubic Cu2O nanoparticles (CU Cu2O) have been grown on Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) nanosheets. The structural and morphological properties of the materials have been studied through a comprehensive characterization, confirming the coexistence of crystalline Cu2O and RGO. Microscopical imaging revealed the intimate contact between the two materials, affecting the size and the distribution of Cu2O nanoparticles on the support. The features of the improved morphology strongly affected the electrochemical behavior of the composites, increasing the activity and the faradaic efficiencies towards the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction process. CU Cu2O/RGO 2:1 composite displayed selective CO formation over H2, with higher currents compared to pristine Cu2O (−0.34 mA/cm2 for Cu2O and −0.64 mA/cm2 for CU Cu2O/RGO 2:1 at the voltage of −0.8 vs. RHE and in a CO2 atmosphere) and a faradaic efficiency of 50% at −0.9 V vs. RHE. This composition exhibited significantly higher CO production compared to the pristine materials, indicating a favorable *CO intermediate pathway even at lower voltages. The systematic investigation on the effects of nanostructuration on composition, morphology and catalytic behavior is a valuable solution for the formation of effective interphases for the promotion of catalytic properties providing crucial insights for future catalysts design and applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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17 pages, 8450 KB  
Article
The Construction of p/n-Cu2O Heterojunction Catalysts for Efficient CO2 Photoelectric Reduction
by Qianqian Zhou, Yanxin Chen, Haoyan Shi, Rui Chen, Minghao Ji, Kexian Li, Hailong Wang, Xia Jiang and Canzhong Lu
Catalysts 2023, 13(5), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13050857 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3008
Abstract
Cu2O is a p-type direct bandgap semiconductor with a band gap of 2~2.2 eV, which has excellent visible light absorption and utilization. However, slow charge transfer and poor stability hinder its practical application. In this paper, a facile electrodeposition approach successfully [...] Read more.
Cu2O is a p-type direct bandgap semiconductor with a band gap of 2~2.2 eV, which has excellent visible light absorption and utilization. However, slow charge transfer and poor stability hinder its practical application. In this paper, a facile electrodeposition approach successfully synthesized the heterostructure of p-Cu2O and n-Cu2O. The protective layer of n-Cu2O on the surface of p-Cu2O nanoparticles forms a p/n heterojunction. Due to the p/n heterojunction, the PEC performance of p/n-Cu2O is enhanced significantly. The charge separation efficiency of photogenerated electron/hole pairs in p/n-Cu2O is greatly improved. Therefore, p/n-Cu2O shows superior photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) efficiency when used as a photocathode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In-Depth Study of Electrochemical Reduction Catalysts and Promoters toward Green and Sustainable Processes)
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