Universal Approach to Direct Spatiotemporal Dynamic In Situ Optical Visualization of On‐Catalyst Water Splitting Electrochemical Processes

Abstract

Electrochemical reactions are the unrivaled backbone of next‐generation energy storage, energy conversion, and healthcare devices. However, the real‐time visualization of electrochemical reactions remains the bottleneck for fully exploiting their intrinsic potential. Herein, for the first time, a universal approach to direct spatiotemporal‐dynamic in situ optical visualization of pH‐based as well as specific byproduct‐based electrochemical reactions is performed. As a highly relevant and impactful example, in‐operando optical visualization of on‐catalyst water splitting processes is performed in neutral water/seawater. HPTS (8‐hydroxypyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonicacid), known for its exceptional optical capability of detecting even the tiniest pH changes allows the unprecedented “spatiotemporal” real‐time visualization at the electrodes. As a result, it is unprecedentedly revealed that at a critical cathode‐to‐anode distance, the bulk‐electrolyte “self‐neutralization” phenomenon can be achieved during the water splitting process, leading to the practical realization of enhanced additive‐free neutral water splitting. Furthermore, it is experimentally unveiled that at increasing electrolyte flow rates, a swift and severe inhibition of the concomitantly forming acidic and basic ‘fronts’, developed at anode and cathode compartments are observed, thus acting as a “buffering” mechanism. To demonstrate the universal applicability of this elegant strategy which is not limited to pH changes, the technique is extended to visualization of hypochlorite/ chlorine at the anode during electrolysis of sea water using N‐(4‐butanoic acid) dansylsulfonamide (BADS). Thus, a unique experimental tool that allows real‐time spatiotemporal visualization and simultaneous mechanistic investigation of complex electrochemical processes is developed that can be universally extended to various fields of research.