Electrocatalysis using porous nanostructured materials.

The performance of electrochemical reactions depends strongly on the morphology and structure of the employed catalytic electrodes. Nanostructuring of the electrode surface represents a powerful tool to increase the electrochemically active surface area of the electrodes. Moreover, it can also facilitate faster diffusive mass transport inside three-dimensional electrodes. This minireview describes recent trends in the development of synthesis routes for porous nanostructured electrode materials and discusses the respective important electrocatalytic applications. The use of structure-directing agents will play a decisive role in the design and synthesis of improved catalysts.