Overall water splitting efficiency is retarded by the kinetics of the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Recently, increasing attention has been attracted to the spin-sensitive nature of the OER and the utility of magnetic fields (MF) for enhancing catalytic performance. Actually, MF should have performed even better, if we had a correct and comprehensive understanding of its possible effects on the whole OER system. Herein, we comprehensively discuss all possible effects of MF on the OER, including the magnetohydrodynamic effect in the electrolyte, the spin selectivity effect in the interface, and the spin alignment and magnetothermal effects in electrocatalysts. We point out that the MF type/setup and the magnetism of electrocatalysts are the two primary determinants for the real effectiveness of MF. This perspective is expected to provide instructive guidance for utilizing magnetic fields to improve the performance of water splitting as well as other spin-sensitive energy con
Electrochemical energy conversion processes driven by renewables, such as wind, hydro, and solar energy will inevitably be integral in any transition away from fossil fuels and will require the development of viable catalysts for large-scale implementation. Benchmark catalysts for these processes are usually based on platinum group metals; for cost and scalability reasons, these need to be replaced by Earth-abundant catalysts, that is, catalysts based on plentiful metals or carbon. In this chapter, we discuss the syntheses and design strategies of scalable Earth-abundant electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting and CO2 reduction. We especially emphasize the impacts that catalyst composition, reaction conditions, and surface morphologies have on performance. Other issues surrounding catalyst use, including long-term stability and sustainability, are addressed.
A team led by Dr. Prashanth W. Menezes (HZB/TU-Berlin) has now gained insights into the chemistry of one of the most active anode catalysts for green hydrogen production. They examined a series of .
Experiments at DESY’s light sources PETRA III and FLASH have revealed the complex mode of action behind the artificial splitting of water at its most efficient level. Using X-rays, a team led by D .