Electrocatalytic Materials

This handbook focuses on electrocatalytic materials, a field that has experienced significant advancements in recent decades, primarily driven by nanoscale catalyst design improvements. These advancements have been crucial in the development and enhancement of alternative energy technologies relying on electrochemical reactions. Electrocatalytic materials play a vital role in reducing over-potentials required for electrochemical device operation. As a prominent subset of catalysts, they facilitate essential reactions for energy conversion and storage through electron transfer processes. However, studying electrocatalytic materials presents challenges due to complex reaction networks, diverse selectivity possibilities, and intricate reaction mechanisms.

This book offers an extensive description of electrocatalysis and the materials used in electrocatalytic processes. It covers cutting-edge studies and in-depth discussions on the applications of electrocatalytic materials in energy conversion and storage (including fuel cells, water splitting, batteries, etc.), sensors, and other potential applications. It also addresses the broader implications of electrocatalysis in academia and industry. Each section of the book highlights the latest developments, contemporary challenges, and state-of-the-art investigations aimed at producing valuable outcomes for end users. With contributions from diverse experts, this comprehensive resource is essential for researchers, scientists, industrialists, educators, and students.

Dr. Santanu Patra is working in the field of materials chemistry, specializing in the integration of functional materials with macro-, micro- nano-system stems and their multifaceted applications. He received his PhD in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) in Dhanbad, India, where he gained expertise in cutting-edge technologies related to nanotechnology and electrochemistry. He then worked as a group leader/researcher in two R & D companies and at Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Currently, Dr. Patra is associated with the Technical University of Denmark, where he is continuing his research on multifaced nanotechnological approaches towards biomedical applications. Through his research, Dr. Patra aims to develop advanced and innovative technologies that can address some of the most pressing challenges for sustainable development. He has authored or co-authored more than 60 research/review articles and book chapters along with two patents. Dr. Patra serves as an editor/editorial board member of several international peer-reviewed journals and has edited several important books.

Dr. Sudheesh K. Shukla specializes in translational research and the development of bioelectronic devices for disease detection and environmental applications. His research integrates chemistry (material science) and engineering to advance healthcare and environmental monitoring. Currently, Dr. Shukla’s research involves real-sample analysis of bio-chemical markers for personalized healthcare monitoring. In particular, Dr. Shukla is interested in integrating biomaterials with micro- and nanosystems for sensing and actuation technologies. Dr. Shukla has conducted research at various institutions worldwide, including the University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Biosensors and Bioelectronics Centre IFM-Linköping Universitet, Sweden; Ben-Gurion University, Israel; All India Institute of Medical Science and the University of Delhi, India; Shandong University, China; Shobhit University and Mabgenex Pvt. Ltd., India. With a diverse educational and research background, he is a knowledgeable nano-scientist. Dr. Shukla has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has written and edited scientific monographs published by renowned publishers such as Springer, ACS, RSC, John Wiley & Sons, and Elsevier. He serves as an editor/editorial board member for several international peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to various scientific disciplines, including Chemosensor, Sensor International, Coronavirus, Reports in Electrochemistry, Chemistry Africa, Topic in Catalysis, Chemical Physics Impact and Frontiers in Bioengineering etc.

Prof. Mika Sillanpää received his M.Sc. (Eng.) and D. Sc. (Eng.) degrees from Aalto University where he also completed an MBA degree in 2013. Since 2000, he has been a full professor/adjunct professor at the University of Oulu, the University of Eastern Finland, the LUT University, the University of Eastern Finland, and the University of Johannesburg. He has supervised over 60 PhDs and has been a reviewer in over 250 academic journals. Mika Sillanpää has published more than 1000 articles in peer-reviewed international journals. He has served on the editorial boards of several scholarly publications. Having an h-index of 129, his publications have been cited over 80000 times (Google Scholar). Mika Sillanpää has received numerous awards for research and innovation. He also received a Literature award from the Water Association of Finland in 2018. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, he was listed as a highly cited researcher by Thomson Reuters in two different disciplines, among approximately 200 other top researchers (covering all fields of science). He was listed as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University. In 2022, he was awarded the Provincial Innovative Talent of Zhejiang Province, China.