Magnetless Device for Conducting Three‐Dimensional Spin‐Specific Electrochemistry

Abstract

Electron spin states play an important role in many chemical processes. Most spin-state studies require the application of a magnetic field. Recently it was found that the transport of electrons through chiral molecules also depends on their spin states and may also play a role in enantiorecognition. Electrochemistry is an important tool for studying spin-specific processes and enantioseparation of chiral molecules. A new device is presented, which serves as the working electrode in electrochemical cells and is capable of providing information on the correlation of spin selectivity and the electrochemical process. The device is based on the Hall effect and it eliminates the need to apply an external magnetic field. Spin-selective electron transfer through chiral molecules can be monitored and the relationship between the enantiorecognition process and the spin of electrons elucidated.

Highlighting spin selectivity properties of chiral electrode surfaces from redox potential modulation of an achiral probe under an applied magnetic field

“…To rationalize such observations, we could first of all note that the probe’s reversible CV peaks barely undergo a potential shift, their morphology appearing practically unaffected by the magnet’s orientation, suggesting an effect of thermodynamic nature. Moreover, considering that no systematic variations in peak intensities were obtained, unlike previous SDE experiments,38,39 we think that the present phenomenon cannot be explained in terms of a different resistance, Δ R , for the transport of α and β electrons within the chiral film 38,39. In fact, a potential shift originating from an ohmic drop implies, according to E = IR , a distortion in the I vs. E voltammetric signal (the potential drop linearly increasing with the current); moreover, in the case of a chemically reversible signal, forward and backward peaks would be distorted and shifted in opposite directions, with E 1/2 remaining practically constant.…”

Molecular Semiconductors for Logic Operations: Dead‐End or Bright Future?

“…The other electrons (or holes) with the opposite spin are backscattered at source electrode decreasing I D by half. Although CISS effect appears detrimental for charge transport, it offers a wealth of new opportunities of which the development of spintronics with no magnets is not the least …”

Promoting Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Fields: Effects of Electric Field, Magnetic Field, Strain, and Light

“…In contrast, the spin states of reaction intermediates have been rarely focused for water electrolysis, despite that they have been demonstrated as pivotal elements in defining a series of electrochemical reactions. [ 146–148 ] Furthermore, the generalizability of these approaches is limited since they rely heavily on specific materials or structures.…”