Recent Advances in External Fields‐Enhanced Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Electrocatalytic technology provides a promising approach for energy storage, conversion, and utilization. The design and modification of electrocatalysts have been widely applied to improve the performance of electrocatalytic reactions, but bottlenecks can be entered that make it hard to make dramatic progress. The achievement of high‐performance electrocatalysis requires a continuous effort in advancing the new techniques. The introduction of external fields is an attractive approach to improve the mass transfer and change the reaction kinetics, which can remarkably enhance the electrocatalytic performance. This review describes the recent developments in the application of various external fields, including light, magnetic fields, elastic strain, external pressure, and gravity, to boost electrocatalytic reactions (e.g., water splitting, alcohols oxidation, CO2 reduction, and N2 reduction). The relevant mechanisms of external fields to boost charge transport, mass transfer, and the adsorption of reactants are highlighted. Finally, the remaining challenges and future opportunities for coupling external fields with electrocatalysis are discussed.

Recent Advances in the Development of Li‐Air Batteries, Experimental and Predictive Approaches – Prospective, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…They can offer improved stability, higher ionic conductivity, and better control over reaction kinetics, potentially leading to reduced overpotential. Mechanical design: Optimizing the design of the electrodes and cell structure can help accommodate volume changes that occur during charge and discharge cycles. This can prevent mechanical stress, electrode degradation, and subsequent increases in overpotential 108, 109. External fields: Applying an external electric field (e.g., light field, magnetic field, gravity field, mechanical stress, photo‐assisted, sound field, temperature variation, ultrasonic vibration, and so on) can influence the electrochemical reactions and reduce overpotential, inhibit dendrite growth, improving energy efficiency and cycle stability 110, 111. Predictive analysis: Pridiction of battery parameters by applying machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches can predict battery operating conditions for the future.…”

“…External fields: Applying an external electric field (e.g., light field, magnetic field, gravity field, mechanical stress, photo‐assisted, sound field, temperature variation, ultrasonic vibration, and so on) can influence the electrochemical reactions and reduce overpotential, inhibit dendrite growth, improving energy efficiency and cycle stability 110, 111.…”

“…This can prevent mechanical stress, electrode degradation, and subsequent increases in overpotential [108,109]. 8) External fields: Applying an external electric field (e.g., light field, magnetic field, gravity field, mechanical stress, photo-assisted, sound field, temperature variation, ultrasonic vibration, and so on) can influence the electrochemical reactions and reduce overpotential, inhibit dendrite growth, improving energy efficiency and cycle stability [110,111]. 9) Predictive analysis: Pridiction of battery parameters by applying machine learning and artificial intelligence ap-proaches can predict battery operating conditions for the future.…”