Charge separation at solid-liquid interfaces generates large, oriented interfacial electric fields. These electric fields are known to be essential for driving interfacial charge transfer in electrochemical reactions, but their role in determining the efficiency and selectivity of thermochemical reactions is poorly understood. Even when a metal catalyst is not wired to an external circuit, spontaneous charge transfer reactions across the solid-liquid interface can polarize the surface and generate largely electric fields. We have developed general methods for tracking the degree of interfacial polarization during thermochemical reactions and have used this approach to understand thermochemical reactivity from an electrochemical perspective. In particular, we have found that many net thermochemical reactions proceed as coupled electrochemical half-reactions and that interfacial polarization can even influence the rates of non-polar transformations. These findings providing a unique bridge between the traditionally disparate fields of thermochemical and electrochemical catalysis.

Critical role of interfacial electric fields in thermochemical catalysis

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.