A Bibliometric Analysis on Pulsed Electrolysis: Electronic Effect, Double Layer Effect, and Mass Transport

Abstract

Pulsed electrolysis endowed merits of high current density, low energy consumption, and simple operation; thus, a booming in their publication numbers has been witnessed in recent years. In this review, we aim to summarize the state-of-the-art pulsed current/potential strategy to enhance electrochemical reactions, such as oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), CO2 reduction (CO2RR), CO reduction (COR), etc. It begins with historic analysis of pulsed electrolysis via a bibliometric method, aiming at providing a progress over the course of around 40 years in a quantitative way. Then, the definition along with its influence of electronic effect, double layer effect and mass transport have been reviewed based on a mechanism point of view for the first time. To sum up the review, several current challenges and future prospects of pulsed electrolysis have provided for the future smart design of electrochemical process.

ATR-SEIRAS Method to Measure Interfacial pH during Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction on Cu

“…Pulsed electrolysis has been explored as a method to suppress the concentration polarization that occurs in the diffusion layer during electrocatalysis by promoting ion diffusion that periodically renews the electrode-electrolyte interface, 9,12,36,37 including during − NO 3 reduction. 7,[38][39][40] Guo et al found that pulsed electrolysis (10 s symmetric pulse) at a Ti cathode during − NO 3 reduction in a nonbuffered electrolyte showed an improvement in NH 3 selectivity but also an increase in H 2 production when compared to constant potential experiments under the same conditions, and had similar product selectivity to a 0.5 M phosphate buffer with a bulk pH of 10.5.…”

“…The pulse duration must be longer than the charge and discharge times of the double layer, otherwise the current will not reach the desired Faradaic current when pulsed on and it will not reach zero current when pulsed off. 9,37 Future work to decrease the measurement time for the ATR-SEIRAS technique will enable further exploration into the possibility of using pulsed electrolysis to maintain a desired interfacial pH. S15).…”