Nanoalloys for Energy Applications

Nanoparticles and nanoalloys are fascinating objects, also in relation to their energy applications. This chapter focuses mainly on the use of metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles to this end. The state-of-the-art of electrochemical devices for energy conversion and storage is reported. Here, we mainly address the beneficial role of employing nanoparticles as building block of their electrodes. We highlight the implications that the rich variety of isomers, with the same size but different geometrical shapes, and homotops, with the same isomer but different chemical orderings, have. For example, there is the need for establishing robust structure-property relationships and then adapting available models. This is at the core of the so-called nanoparticles' design. We also address how isomerization processes could affect the catalytic performance of nanocatalysts. As a paradigmatic example, we focus on the design of Pt-based nanoparticles and nanoalloys for oxygen reduction and ethanol oxidation, two fundamental reactions in electrochemical devices.