Recent Advances in External Fields-Enhanced Electrocatalysis

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 N-2 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.

Automated summary

Electrocatalytic technology is a promising approach for energy storage, conversion, and utilization. The design and modification of electrocatalysts have been widely applied to improve performance but face challenges for dramatic progress. High-performance electrocatalysis requires continuous efforts in advancing new techniques. The introduction of external fields can enhance the electrocatalytic performance by improving mass transfer and changing reaction kinetics.