Electrocatalysis is one of the most promising research fields for developing new technologies to support a clean energy transition. It enables the production of green fuels, such as hydrogen, and a variety of valuable chemicals, using electricity generated from renewable sources. Despite its enormous potential, the field still faces significant challenges, including ensuring that experimental results are robust and reproducible across different laboratories. In other words, even subtle variations in experimental conditions can significantly affect catalyst performance and the conclusions drawn from a study.

This is one of the main messages shared by ICREA Prof. María Escudero-Escribano (leader of the ICN2 NanoElectrocatalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group) and Prof. Ezra L. Clark (The Pennsylvania State University) in an invited Q&A article published in Cell Reports Physical Science. Throughout the article, the two researchers discuss the strategies and best practices required to enhance the quality, reliability, and reproducibility of electrocatalysis research.

Important considerations

As the researchers explain, factors such as electrolyte composition and electrode preparation, as well as trace impurities, can have a significant impact on catalyst performance. They therefore emphasise the importance of rigorous experimental design, transparent reporting of experimental protocols and shared best practices that enable meaningful comparisons between laboratories and research groups.

Prof. Escudero-Escribano also emphasises the importance of improving our understanding of how the catalyst–electrolyte interface evolves under reaction conditions. In situ/operando techniques are essential for this, as they enable researchers to monitor these changes under real operating conditions and draw more robust conclusions. She also discusses the challenges associated with determining the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), emphasising that its value depends on the catalyst, electrolyte, and measurement protocol. Rather than recommending a single universal method, she highlights the importance of combining complementary approaches and clearly reporting how ECSA is determined.

In conclusion, both experts call for a shift in research approaches that places greater emphasis on methodological rigour and a deeper understanding of reaction mechanisms rather than focusing solely on achieving the best possible catalytic performance. They argue that improving reproducibility will be essential for generating reliable and comparable data, thereby accelerating the development of electrocatalytic technologies that can support the energy transition.

 Read the full Q&A article: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(26)00337-1.

Reference article:

Clark, E.L.; Escudero-Escribano, M. Reporting for reproducibility in electrocatalysis. Cell Reports Physical Science. (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103431.