Tapping into the potentialities of coals as valuable resources that can be transformed into state-of-the-art energy-related materials is now a burgeoning and fascinating research area, which accords with the clean utilization of coals.  Coals are cost-effective, earth-abundant and high-quality carbon sources with multiple organic macromolecular structures. The key points of preparing high-performance coal-based functional materials lie in activation and functionalization. In this lecture simple, sustainable and reproducible methodologies are proposed to prepare functional coal-based electrocatalysts in terms of various applications. Carbon supports with tailored structures are able to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of electrocatalysts while protecting them during the electrolysis. Among a large array of carbon-based materials, medium/high-rank coals as exemplified by anthracite have naturally robust architectures, which can acquire both high corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength. Our investigations both yield fine details of the rational design of coal-based electrocatalysts and provide cutting-edge insight into the fields of clean utilization of coals that have long brought together energy scientists and engineers.

coal; carbon; electrocatalysis; performance