Shaping Electrocatalysis through Tailored Nanomaterials

Electrocatalyst is a catalyst that participate electrochemical reactions by increasing the reaction rate while the catalyst itself is not being consumed. Most electrocatalysts used in industrial processes are based on nanomaterials, because of their high surface-to-volume ratio therefore high material utilization at nanoscale. This presentation describes recent development of nano-electrocatalysts in energy conversion and storage. The performance of electrocatalysts has been improved through tailoring the sizes, compositions, and morphologies of nanomaterials. This presentation outlines 1) synthesis and preparation of electrocatalytic nanomaterials, including Pt and Pt-alloy catalysts, 2) the connection between shape (morphology) of nanomaterials and the catalytic properties, 3) correlation between electrocatalyst composition profile and electrocatalysis, 4) catalyst design strategy, 5) balancing activity and durability by tuning nanostructure, 6) chemical modification of surface to tailor catalytic properties, and 7) superstructures as novel research platform to study catalysis. This presentation emphasizes the novel approaches that improve electrocatalysts performances such as activity and durability through careful tailoring of nanomaterials.