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30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Electrochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 6379

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Editors

Dr. Claudio Fontanesi

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari” (DIEF), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy
Interests: physical electrochemistry; organic electronics; spin-dependent electrochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Andrea Stefani

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Guest Editor Assistant

French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), LITEN,17 Avenue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France
Interests: electrochemistry; photovoltaics; organic electronics; fuel cells; electrolyzer cells; chirality; spin

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The year 2026 will mark the 30th anniversary of Molecules, and to celebrate this exciting milestone, we have set up a Special Issue, “30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry”, to publish cutting-edge research in our Section.

This Special Issue will consist of comprehensive reviews and original research articles featuring important and recent developments or advancements in all areas of electrochemistry. Research areas include (but are not limited to): organic electrochemistry, electrocatalysis, electrochemical sensing and detection (including electrochemical/SSD integration), battery, corrosion, solar cells, electrode material, fuel cells, energy conversion and storage, spin-dependent electrochemistry, and double-layer capacitors.

We warmly invite and encourage all research groups working across the diverse fields of electrochemistry to contribute to this important and celebratory Special Issue.

Dr. Claudio Fontanesi
Guest Editor

Dr. Andrea Stefani
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

electrochemical science
energy conversion
charge transfer
voltammetry
magnetoelectrochemistry/spin
redox chemistry

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 23670 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Carbon Nanomaterial from Coke and Preparation of Copper Oxide-Based Composite

by Zhanar Assirbayeva, Zhazira Mukatayeva, Nurgul Shadin, Yerbol Tileuberdi, Qiang Zeng, Aigul Nurakhmetova, Khanat Dyussebayev, Klara Sarsekova and Yrysgul Bakytkarim

Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122129 - 17 Jun 2026

Viewed by 189

Abstract

The development of low-cost and highly sensitive electrochemical sensing platforms for pesticide monitoring has attracted significant attention in recent years. In this study, coke-derived carbon (CDC) was successfully synthesized from petroleum coke through high-temperature carbonization under a nitrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, a CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite was fabricated by depositing copper oxide nanoparticles onto the CDC matrix. The morphology, structure, and elemental composition of the synthesized materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping analyses, confirming the successful formation of the composite and the uniform distribution of CuO nanostructures on the carbon surface. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated that the incorporation of CuO significantly enhanced the electrochemical performance of CDC by increasing the electroactive surface area and facilitating electron transfer. The CDC@CuO-NP-modified glassy carbon electrode was applied for the electrochemical detection of dichlorvos (DDVP) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensor exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in charge-transfer resistance and showed a linear response in the concentration range of 247–3770 nM, with the regression equation y = 47.1458C + 111.8162 and a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9832. The developed sensor achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 nM, demonstrating high sensitivity toward DDVP. These results indicate that the CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite is a promising, low-cost, and efficient electrode material for the sensitive determination of organophosphorus pesticides and has considerable potential for environmental monitoring and food safety applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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23 pages, 10506 KB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Selected Organic Additives in Sulfate-Based Electroplating Baths for Copper Electrodeposition Toward Additive Manufacturing

by Dawid Kiesiewicz, Karolina Syrek, Paweł Niezgoda and Maciej Pilch

Molecules 2026, 31(10), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31101635 - 13 May 2026

Viewed by 492

Abstract

Precise control of copper electrodeposition is essential for electrochemical additive manufacturing based on layer-by-layer growth. In this work, the influence of selected organic additives, nicotinic acid, benzotriazole, thiourea and urea in sulfate-based electroplating baths was investigated with respect to their applicability in electrodeposition-driven 3D printing. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was used to analyze the electrochemical behavior of Cu(II) reduction, while copper layers were deposited under potentiostatic conditions in a flow-assisted system (potential controlled conditions). The obtained deposits were characterized by SEM/EDS and quantitative measurements of layer thickness and dendrite height. The results show that the additives strongly affect both deposition kinetics and the morphology of electrodeposited layers. Benzotriazole acts as a strong inhibitor, producing fine-grained structures but reducing deposition efficiency and not fully suppressing vertical growth instabilities. Thiourea leads to highly unstable deposition with excessive dendritic growth and increased impurity incorporation. Nicotinic acid enables relatively thick deposits with moderate dendrite formation within an optimal concentration range. In contrast, urea provides the most stable growth, yielding uniform layers with minimal dendritic development and high copper purity. The dendrite height-to-layer thickness ratio proved to be an effective descriptor of electrodeposition growth stability. These findings highlight the critical role of additive selection in optimizing electroplating baths for electrochemical 3D printing applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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25 pages, 27527 KB

Open AccessArticle

Initial Study of Feedstock Material Compositions for 3D Printing of Hybrid Metal–Polymer Components via Electrodeposition and Photopolymerization in an Electroplating Bath Environment

by Dawid Kiesiewicz, Karolina Syrek, Paweł Niezgoda, Szymon Żydowski, Sylwia Łagan and Maciej Pilch

Molecules 2026, 31(8), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31081316 - 17 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 504

Abstract

Hybrid metal–polymer components are used in many industries, such as in aerospace, automotives, and electronics, due to the possibility of reducing the weight of the final part while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to components made entirely of metal. Conventional 3D printing processes do not enable the direct fabrication of hybrid structures consisting of solid metal and polymer parts due to the significant differences in the processing temperatures of both materials. A solution to this problem is the integration of two processes, electrodeposition and photopolymerization, which allow fabrication to be carried out at room temperature. This paper presents preparatory studies aimed at developing a new 3D printing technology that uses the simultaneous application of electrodeposition and photopolymerization to manufacture hybrid metal–polymer elements in a single, integrated 3D printing process. Here, a hybrid metal–polymer element is defined as a component composed of at least two bonded parts, including at least one metal part fabricated by electrodeposition and at least one polymer part produced by photopolymerization. Thus, it is not a polymer component merely coated with an electrodeposited metal layer, but a true hybrid structure consisting of functional metallic and polymeric parts. Such components can be manufactured using the world’s first hybrid 3D printer, which integrates electrodeposition and photopolymerization to produce metal–polymer hybrid parts within a single 3D printing process (the device has been submitted to the Polish Patent Office). However, its design and operating principle are beyond the scope of this paper. The presented research focuses on initial study of selected feedstock materials for this printer, namely photocurable resins and electroplating baths. Since the entire hybrid printing process occurs in an electroplating bath environment, studies of these materials for 3D printing under such conditions were essential. This work includes a screening study of photocurable formulations with respect to rheological properties, 3D printing tests in a model copper electroplating bath, and selection of a suitable bath brightener to maximize the quality (fine grain size, homogeneous grain distribution) of additively deposited copper layers. The study was conducted using copper electrodeposition and acrylate resin photopolymerization as model processes for evaluating the proposed hybrid metal–polymer 3D printing technology. Finally, the most suitable feedstock materials for producing metal–polymer hybrid parts via the proposed 3D printing method were selected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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16 pages, 2230 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of a Multifunctional Separator Based on Poly(terephthaloyl-melamine) for the Thermally Safe Regulation of Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Yiwei Yu, Yongshun Liang, Dan You, Wenhao Yang, Ziyi Zhu, Yingjie Zhang, Linqiang Duan, Xue Li and Yiyong Zhang

Molecules 2026, 31(8), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31081304 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 454

Abstract

The poor thermal stability of commercial polyethylene (PE) separators hinders the further application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), yet previous modifications struggle to balance between safety and electrochemical performance. This study proposes an interface modification strategy by forming a poly(melamine terephthalamide) (PTM) coating on the PE separator surface, constructing a “thermal–mechanical–electrochemical synergistic barrier”. The PTMs@PE separator achieves synergistic improvements in thermal shutdown behavior, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and electrochemical compatibility by taking advantage of the temperature-sensitive response of the PE separator, the flame-retardants of the rigid conjugated skeleton with the high nitrogen of PTM, and the electrolyte-affinity of its functional groups. Importantly, the principles between the molecular structure of the PTM coating and the thermal behavior is verified. The results demonstrate that PTM participates in the decomposition process of the PE separator and slows down the degradation rate of the PE chain structure, thereby resulting in a wide-temperature-range thermal shutdown temperature. The PTMs@PE effectively reduces the risk of runaway. The PTMs@PE separator achieves outstanding electrochemical compatibility, achieving a capacity retention rate of 99.27% at 2 C for 500 cycles. Notably, the separator shows high potential for scalable fabrication. This work provides a novel material system and technical pathway for developing highly safe and high-performance LIB separators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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14 pages, 3490 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Engineered Separator with N-Doped Graphene Nanosheets for Trapping Polysulfides in Advanced Li-S Batteries

by Bing Chen, Yiwen Li, Chaojiang Fan, Qingpei Zhou, Wenhu Li, Hang Su, Cong Li, Shixiong Zhang, Chenhui Yang and Teng Wang

Molecules 2026, 31(7), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071172 - 1 Apr 2026

Viewed by 635

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur (Li-S) battery technology has attracted significant research interest owing to sulfur’s remarkable theoretical capacity and exceptional energy density potential. Nevertheless, the low conductivity of sulfur and the “shuttle effect” pose challenges to its practical applications. To enhance electrochemical performance, this work developed nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) nanosheets as a separator coating for Li-S battery. As a modification layer for separators, NG acts as a physical barrier that prevents polysulfides from migrating across the separator to reach the anode, thereby mitigating the shuttle effect. Additionally, NG improves the conductivity of the separator and enhances wettability between the separator and electrolyte, facilitating uniform transmission of lithium ions. Notably, NG functionalized separators demonstrate excellent mechanical flexibility, contributing to improved cycle stability for batteries. Furthermore, theoretical calculations indicate a strong interaction between NG and lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), effectively inhibiting polysulfide migration. The Li-S battery utilizing the NG modified separator maintains a capacity retention rate of 51.5% after 100 cycles at 0.1 C with a sulfur loading of 1.47 mg/cm² and exhibits a capacity decay rate of only 0.092% after 500 cycles at a discharge rate of 1 C. This work highlights the potential advantages of employing NG as a separator coating layer in enhancing the electrochemical performance of the Li-S battery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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16 pages, 965 KB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Synthesis of 3-Selenyl-Chromones via Domino C(sp²)-H Bond Selenylation/Annulation of Enaminones

by João M. Brito, Isabella M. e Oliveira, Cassio A. O. Moraes, Alex R. Schneider, Tiago E. A. Frizon, Giancarlo V. Botteselle, Vijay P. Singh, André L. Stein, Gleison A. Casagrande, Giuseppe A. Camara, Antonio L. Braga, Jamal Rafique and Sumbal Saba

Molecules 2026, 31(2), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020391 - 22 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1007

Abstract

Herein, we disclose a highly efficient pathway toward 3-selenylated chromone derivatives via electrosynthesis domino C(sp²)-H bond selenylation/cyclization/deamination of 2-hydroxyaryl enaminones with diselenides. This method showed mild conditions, easy operation, a wide substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, this electrosynthesis strategy was amenable to scaling up the reaction. Additionally, the preliminary experiments revealed that this reaction probably proceeded via a cation pathway instead of a radical pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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16 pages, 3289 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genipin as an Effective Crosslinker for High-Performance and Flexible Direct-Printed Bioelectrodes

by Kornelia Bobrowska, Marcin Urbanowicz, Agnieszka Paziewska-Nowak, Marek Dawgul and Kamila Sadowska

Molecules 2026, 31(2), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020327 - 17 Jan 2026

Viewed by 785

Abstract

The development of efficient bioelectrodes requires suitable fabrication strategies, starting with the electrode material, which affects the electron transfer between the biocatalyst and the electrode surface. Then, selection and adjustment of the enzyme immobilization conditions are essential to enhance the performance of the bioelectrodes for their desirable utility. In this study, we report the fabrication of a high-performance bioelectrode using a one-step crosslinking of FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) and thionine acetate as a redox mediator, with genipin serving as a natural, biocompatible crosslinker. Electrodes were manufactured on flexible polyester substrates using a direct printing technique, enabling reproducible and low-cost production. Among the tested crosslinkers, genipin significantly enhanced the catalytic performance of bioelectrodes. Comparative studies on graphite, silver, and gold electrode materials identified graphite as the most suitable due to its extended electroactive surface area. The developed bioelectrodes applied to glucose biosensing demonstrated a linear amperometric response to glucose in the range of 0.02–2 mM and 0.048–30 mM, covering clinically relevant concentrations. The application of artificial sweat confirmed high detection accuracy. These findings highlight the potential integration of genipin-based enzyme–mediator networks for future non-invasive sweat glucose monitoring platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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23 pages, 7325 KB

Open AccessArticle

3D Multilayered DDM-Modified Nickel Foam Electrode for Advanced Alkaline Water Electrolysis

by Elitsa Petkucheva, Galin Borisov, Jordan Iliev, Elefteria Lefterova and Evelina Slavcheva

Molecules 2026, 31(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010069 - 24 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1257

Abstract

Advanced alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) in “zero-gap” configuration is a promising approach for low-temperature hydrogen production, but its efficiency strongly depends on the design and surface chemistry of nickel-based electrodes. Here, we present a simple dip-and-drying method (DDM) to modify commercial nickel foam with a Ni–FeOOH/PTFE microporous catalytic layer and evaluate its electrochemical performance in 1 M KOH and in a laboratory zero-gap cell with a Zirfon^® Perl 500 UTP diaphragm, through circulating 25 wt.% KOH. The FeSO₄-assisted DDM treatment generates mixed Ni–Fe oxyhydroxide surface species, while PTFE imparts control hydrophobicity, enhancing both catalytic activity and gas-release behavior. Annealing the electrode (DDM-NF-CAT-A) results in a cell voltage of 2.45 V at 1 A·cm⁻² and 80 °C, demonstrating moderate performance comparable to other Ni-based electrodes prepared via low-complexity methods, though below that of optimized state-of-the-art zero-gap systems. Short-term durability tests (80 h at 0.5 A·cm⁻²) indicate stable operation, but long-term industrial performance was not assessed. These findings illustrate the potential of the DDM approach as a simple, low-cost route to structured nickel foam electrodes and provide a foundation for further optimization of catalyst loading, microstructure, and long-term stability for practical AWE applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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Review

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32 pages, 8042 KB

Open AccessReview

Ammonia Synthesis via Electrochemical Conversion

by Jesús M. Martín-Marroquín and Dolores Hidalgo

Molecules 2026, 31(11), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31111805 - 24 May 2026

Viewed by 394

Abstract

Ammonia is a key chemical for fertilizers, industrial processes, and emerging energy applications, yet its conventional production via the Haber–Bosch process is associated with high energy demand and significant greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, electrochemical routes for ammonia synthesis have attracted increasing attention as a potential sustainable alternative, enabling nitrogen conversion under milder conditions and using renewable electricity. This review examines recent advances in electrochemical ammonia production, focusing on nitrogen reduction mechanisms, catalyst development, and electrochemical system design. The main reaction pathways for nitrogen activation are analyzed, together with the role of electrocatalysts in determining activity and selectivity. Progress in catalyst engineering, electrolyte optimization, and reactor configuration is discussed, with particular emphasis on strategies to mitigate competing reactions such as hydrogen evolution. In addition, alternative approaches based on nitrate reduction are considered due to their promising performance and potential integration with wastewater treatment. Unlike many recent reviews primarily focused on catalyst development or individual reaction pathways, this review provides an integrated perspective encompassing nitrogen reduction, nitrate reduction, electrolyte engineering, reactor architectures, and techno-economic considerations, thereby highlighting the interdependence between materials design, reaction environment, and system-level integration for scalable electrochemical ammonia synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 30th Anniversary of Molecules—Recent Advances in Electrochemistry)

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