Focus Issue: Journal of Materials Research

Advanced Nanocatalysts for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Generation: Batteries, Supercapacitors, Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells
Issue Date: October 28, 2021
Submission deadline: March 15, 2021

The development of nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage and generation is gaining increased attention world-wide. Electrochemical devices include batteries supercapacitors, electrolyzers and fuel cells. The development of functional, active and electrochemically stable nanomaterials is highly important to advance the commercial capability of these devices

Commercial development is particularly imperative for alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers, considering the increase in research in recent years as an outcome of the development of anion exchange membranes. Highly active nanomaterials are also needed for rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. Experimental evaluation techniques such as in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), provide valuable insights into the electrochemical reactions taking place on novel nanomaterials, leading to the determination of reaction mechanisms. The design of nanostructured catalysts by application of powerful ab initio calculations is also highly relevant. 

This JMR Focus Issue will review the state of the art and accelerate fundamental understandings of nanostructured materials used in alkaline fuel cells (hydrogen or alcohols as fuels) and electrolyzers, rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. Contributions are solicited on experimental and theoretical studies of novel nanostructured materials for such electrochemical devices.

Manuscripts are solicited in the following areas:
•  Advanced nanostructured anodes and cathodes for anion exchange membrane fuel cells
•  Novel nanocatalysts for alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells
•  Development of new nanocatalysts for alkaline electrolyzers 
•  Novel active nanomaterials for supercapacitors
•  Advanced active nanomaterials for rechargeable batteries

GUEST EDITORS 
Dr. Javier Rodríguez-Varela, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav), Mexico
Dr. Oumarou Savadogo, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada
Dr. Ivonne L. Alonso-Lemus, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav), Mexico
Dr. Karthikeyan Palaniswamy, PSG College of Technology, India

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

To be considered for this issue, new and previously unpublished results significant to the development of this field should be presented. The manuscripts must be submitted via the JMR electronic submission system by March 15, 2021. Manuscripts submitted after this deadline will not be considered for the issue due to time constraints on the review process. Please select “Focus issue: Advanced Nanocatalysts for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Generation” as the Focus Issue designation. Note our manuscript submission minimum length of 3250 words, excluding figures, captions, and references, with at least 6 and no more than 10 figures and tables combined. Review articles may be longer but must be pre-approved by proposal to the Guest Editors via jmr@mrs.org. The proposal form and author instructions may be found at www.mrs.org/jmr-instructions. All manuscripts will be reviewed in a normal but expedited fashion. Papers submitted by the deadline and subsequently accepted will be published in the Focus Issue. Other manuscripts that are acceptable but cannot be included in the issue will be scheduled for publication in a subsequent issue of JMR.

Please direct questions to jmr@mrs.org.