Topic: Frontiers in Fuel Cell Materials and Electrocatalysis: Design, Mechanism, and Device Integration

Fuel cells represent one of the most promising clean-energy conversion technologies for transportation, distributed power generation, and industrial decarbonization, yet their widespread commercialization remains hindered by critical challenges in electrocatalyst cost, activity–durability trade-offs, and multiscale materials–device integration. This Special Issue, "Frontiers in Fuel Cell Materials and Electrocatalysis: Design, Mechanism, and Device Integration," invites original research articles, communications, and timely reviews that address these bottlenecks across the full spectrum of fuel cell platforms — including proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs/SOECs), anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), and emerging low-temperature / intermediate-temperature architectures.

We particularly welcome contributions on: (i) rational design and atomic-scale understanding of advanced electrocatalysts (single-atoms, alloys, and support-engineered systems); (ii) interface and transport phenomena in catalyst layers, membranes, and membrane–electrode assemblies; (iii) novel electrolytes and ceramic materials for SOFCs/SOECs; (iv) operando/operational characterization and mechanistic diagnostics; and (v) data-driven/material-informatics and simulation-guided approaches to accelerate materials discovery and devices optimization. By bridging fundamental electrochemistry, materials innovation, and systems-level thinking, this issue aims to showcase the latest breakthroughs driving fuel cells towards practical, cost-effective deployment.

Fuel cells (PEMFC/SOFC /AEMFC), Electrocatalyst, membrane–electrode assembly (MEA), mass transport & interfacial phenomena, solid oxide cells (SOFC/SOEC), single-atom catalysts/nanostructured catalysts, hydrogen energy conversion, operando characterization