“Generation and Reaction of Benzyl Triflates by Anodic Oxidation of Toluenes” by Dr. Yosuke Ashikari et al. is selected as an Editor’s Choice. This study presents a highly original electrochemical strategy that enables the selective generation and utilization of benzyl triflates via the anodic two-electron oxidation of toluenes. By conducting the oxidation at −78 °C in a divided H-type cell, the authors successfully accumulated benzyl triflates as stable benzyl-cation equivalents, a species directly confirmed for the first time by low-temperature NMR analysis. Subsequent reactions with alcohols, thiols, and amines proceeded smoothly to afford benzylic ethers and thioethers under mild, activator-free conditions, effectively suppressing the overoxidation issues inherent to conventional benzylic C–H functionalization.This work offers a valuable and innovative platform for C–H bond functionalization using electrochemically generated cationic intermediates.
“Development and Demonstration of Large-scale Alkaline Water Electrolysis System ‘Aqualyzer’” by Yasuhiro Fujita et al. is selected as an Editor’s Choice. The paper presents an outstanding achievement in developing and demonstrating the large-scale alkaline water electrolysis system. Building on the company’s long-standing expertise in chlor-alkali electrolysis, the authors establish an integrated system that combines advanced cell components with sophisticated control and simulation technologies. The cover photograph features the newly constructed alkaline water electrolysis pilot test plant at Asahi Kasei’s Kawasaki Works, supported by the NEDO “Green Innovation Fund” adopted in 2021, and in operation since May 2024. Together with the 10 MW-class system at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), these developments demonstrate remarkable technological maturity and industrial readiness. Furthermore, the integration of dynamic pressure control, reverse-current suppression, and simulation-based optimization for hydrogen-cost reduction exemplifies a comprehensive engineering approach that bridges materials science and system design. This paper highlights Japan’s leading contribution to the global green-hydrogen initiative and serves as an excellent reference for the future realization of 100 MW-class electrolysis plants and a sustainable hydrogen economy.
“Development of Photocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis Aiming at Carbon Neutrality” by Professor Akihiko Kudo is selected as an Editor’s Choice as commemorated for the Society Award of Electrochemical Society of Japan (Takei Award). The authors liken chess pieces to the roles of photoelectrochemical catalysts. The three chess pieces hint at different “winning lines”: a straight thrust, a leap, and long-range coordination suggesting suitable crystal engineering for development of photocatalysts and photoelectrochemical cells with band engineering. In this light, they point to two strands of the work. One concerns material systems that combine visible-range absorption with efficient hole transport by creating a “new valence band,” exemplified by BiVO4 (Bi 6s) and SnNb2O6 (Sn 5s). The other concerns design approaches that steer photoexcited carriers in one direction through cascaded band alignment, including Z-scheme architectures such as the (CuGa)0.5ZnS2–BiVO4 couple for CO2 reduction with O2 evolution. Taken together, these motifs may be read as evoking a variety of “moves”: robust performance in single-phase materials and defect/doping control; the opening of new pathways through valence-band re-design; and, further, cascaded band alignment realized through solid solutions, heterojunctions, and electron mediators.
“Non-faradaic Impedimetric Biosensing with Open Bipolar Electrode Platform” by Arisa Tochigi et al. is selected as an Editor’s Choice. In this work, the authors successfully demonstrated a flexible impedimetric biosensor based on the bipolar phenomenon using an open bipolar electrode (oBPE). oBPEs offer biosensing capabilities with a simple structure and wireless design, enabling compact and adaptable sensor configurations. They are particularly well-suited for non-faradaic impedance measurements, allowing label-free detection of biomolecular interactions without the need for redox reagents or complex signal amplification, supporting sensitive, cost-effective, and user-friendly biochemical analysis.
“Advances of Perovskite Solar Cells: Interface Engineering to Achieve High Photovoltage Performance” by Prof. Tsutomu Miyasaka et al. is selected as an Editor’s Choice for the 72nd Special Feature, “Research Frontiers of Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion and Photocatalysis” recommended jointly by the guest editors from The Photoelectrochemistry Research Group and the editorial board. It synthesizes and advances a rapidly industrializing field: halide-perovskite thin-film photovoltaics now achieving 27% power conversion efficiency, rivaling single-crystalline Si. The authors present compelling evidence that interface molecular engineering—especially SAM-modified heterojunctions in inverted p-i-n architectures—delivers efficiency on par with conventional n-i-p devices and lead to cost reduction with simplified layer structures. The work combines clear mechanistic insight with practical design rules and proposes new device structures directly relevant to scalable manufacturing and long-term stability. Its originality, rigor, and translational impact make it an outstanding contribution worthy of recognition. This cover art was created and published with financial support from The Electrochemical Society.
