Magnetic Field‐Assisted Construction and Enhancement of Electrocatalysts

Abstract

Driven by the energy crisis and environmental pollution, developing sustainable clean energy is an effective strategy to realize carbon neutrality. Electrocatalytic reactions are crucial to sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies, and advanced electrocatalysts are required to improve the sluggish electrocatalytic reactions. The magnetic field, as a thermodynamic parameter independent of temperature and pressure, is vital in the construction of electrocatalysts and enhancement of electrocatalysis. In this Review, the recent progress of magnetic field‐assisted construction of electrocatalysts and enhancement of electrocatalysis is comprehensively summarized. Originating from the structure‐activity‐performance relationship of electrocatalysts, the fundamentals of the magnetic field‐induced construction of electrocatalysts, including the magnetocaloric effect, nucleation and growth, and phase regulation, have been illustrated. In addition, the magnetic effect on the electrocatalytic reaction, namely, the magnetothermal, magnetohydrodynamic and micro magnetohydrodynamic, Maxwell stress, Kelvin force, and spin selection effects, are discussed. Finally, the perspective and challenges for magnetic field‐assisted construction of electrocatalysts and enhancement of electrocatalysis are proposed.

Recent advances in catalyst design and activity enhancement induced by a magnetic field for electrocatalysis

“…158 While there has been considerable interest in the magnetic field-driven enhancement of the OER in spinel oxides in recent years, the majority of research has focused on spin dynamics. 159,160 Lyu 161 has presented the first strategy for manipulating the tetrahedral units in NiFe 2 O 4 (NFO) using magnetic fields to improve OER performance. Through their research, they found that the application of a magnetic field can cause Ni 2+ ions to migrate from the octahedral ( O h ) site to the tetrahedral ( T d ) site in mixed NFO spinels (Fig.…”

Field‐assisted electrocatalysts spark sulfur redox kinetics: From fundamentals to applications

“…By means of permanent magnets, incorporating an external MF is another representative noncontact energy transfer method to memorably impact the electrocatalytic proprieties by MF‐induced effects, such as spin polarization and spin‐selective effect. [ 81–85 ] Additionally, the Lorentz force ($$\vec{F}$$) can directly act on targeted ions in convective flow to regulate their motion behaviors for enhanced mass transfer or optimal redistribution. [ 37,86–88 ] Other magnetic hyperthermia effects caused by alternating MF may lead to localized intense heating, also facilitating electrochemical reactions.…”

Fundamentals and Recent Progress in Magnetic Field Assisted CO2 Capture and Conversion

“…The additional clean energy input by introducing physical fields such as light and electricity is provided to reduce the energy barrier between reactants and products and accelerate the chemical reactions. [10][11][12] In view of the above two problems, magnetic field, with the non-contact and environmentally friendly nature, attracts increasing attention as an emerging method for providing new and lasting power for CO 2 capture and conversion. [13,14] CO 2 is a typical quadrupole molecule and its adsorption is supposed to be affected by the external field.…”