Problems and perspectives in nanostructured carbon-based electrodes for clean and sustainable energy

Nanostructured carbon-based electrodes for clean and sustainable energy are of increasing relevance. This short review highlights critically some selected aspects: (i) the nanoarchitecture of the electrode, (ii) the synthesis methods and the possibility of structuring the inner nanospace of carbon nanotube, i.e. nano-in-nano design, (iii) the problem of nanointerfaces and charge transport, (iv) the interrelation between the dynamics of surface reconstruction of Pt nanoparticles under operation and charge transport limitations, (v) the multiple phenomena governing the performances of advanced electrodes for PEM fuel cells, (vi) the use of advanced nanostructured carbon-based electrodes for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to fuel, and (vii) the modification in the redox properties of transition metals via nanoconfinement within the channels of carbon nanotubes. Finally the need of introducing in catalyst design some of the recent developments made in the field of nanostructured electrodes is also commented.