Materials Chemistry Commons^™

Regularization-Based Crystallite Size Distribution Analysis Of Pt/C Catalysts From X-Ray Diffraction, Cheng-Long Ma, Wei-Yu Shi, Zhong-Jun Hou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Accurate determination of the platinum crystallite size distribution in carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) catalysts is critical for evaluating both the initial performance and long-term durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Conventional characterization approaches—including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and the Scherrer equation—are limited by restricted statistical sampling, sensitivity to support interference, or the inability to resolve the full breadth of the size distribution. In this work, we present a regularization-based inversion framework that extracts the volume-weighted crystallite size distribution directly from X-ray diffraction (XRD) line profiles, without requiring any a priori assumption regarding the functional form …

Characterization Of Combined Adsorption Using Fermi Levels, Molecular Dynamics, And Monte Carlo Simulations To Prevent Cu–Zn (111) Alloy Corrosion, Mushtaq Jerri Meften, Ammar Abdul Jabbar Kadhim, Mohammed Shafeeq Abed

Makara Journal of Science

Experimentally developing corrosion inhibitors requires a significant amount of money and time. In silico advancement empowers selecting inhibitor molecules based on their properties derived from theoretical studies, thereby reducing costs. Our main approaches include theoretical studies such as Fermi levels, electrostatic potential surface (EPS), Fukui indices, molecular dynamics stimulations, and Monte Carlo as indispensable tools to investigate the adsorption mechanisms of molecules 6-((5-(((3S,5R)-2-oxo-5-((2-(pyrazin-2-yloxy) thiazol-5-yl) thio) tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-3-yl) oxy)isothia-zol-3-yl)thio) nicotinic acid (PTT), and (S)-2-((5-((6-((3-(2-thioxoethoxy)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)thio)-1,6-dihydropyra-zin-2-yl)oxy)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) thio) acetaldehyde (TTD) on the Cu/Zn (111) alloy. We electronically characterized PTT and TTD, which were proven effective inhibitors. Notably, all results suggested that the two exhibited high …

Neural Network Driven By Electrochemical Performance Data For Predicting The Discharge Termination Time Of Seawater Electrolyte-Based Metal-Air Batteries, Peng-Peng Shen, Yi-Chi Pan, Yu-Rong Liu, Lu-Dan Zhang, Ning Niu, Guan-Jun Wang, De-Kun Yang, Xin-Long Tian, Peng Rao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Seawater electrolyte-based metal-air batteries exhibit great promise for marine energy supply systems. However, conventional statistical analysis methods, though applicable to seawater metal-air battery lifetime prediction, have inherent limitations of insufficient prediction accuracy and large error. Herein, a deep time-series regression framework based on InceptionTime and incorporating prior-biased attention pooling is proposed to construct a nonlinear mapping between electrochemical performance sequences and the discharge termination time of catalysts. Specifically, chronoamperometric profiles are employed to extract long-term stability features, while prior knowledge derived from linear sweep voltammetry is introduced to strengthen the attention weighting over critical potential regions. Under a nested leave-one-catalyst-out …

In Situ Electrochemical Characterization Techniques For Active Hydrogen In Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction To Ammonia, Hong-Mei Li, Mei Yi, Zhao-Yu Jin, Ming-Hao Xie, Khalid M. Omer, Yong Guo, Pan-Pan Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NitRR) represents a sustainable pathway that integrates environmental remediation with the production of high-value ammonia. However, the activity and selectivity of this process are limited by the generation, consumption, and dynamic equilibrium of the key transient intermediate—active hydrogen (*H). Precise modulation of *H necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its behavior, which relies fundamentally on advanced in situ electrochemical characterization techniques. However, a systematic review dedicated to the rational selection and application of in situ electrochemical techniques for the specific characterization of *H in NitRR, with clear definitions of each technique's "detectable targets, quantitative accuracy, and …

Structure And Dynamics Of Associative Polymers Under Quiescent State And Flow, Rosita Sivaraj

All Dissertations

Associative polymers, including ionizable polymers, are widely used in membranes, coatings, fuel cells, energy storage, and other advanced soft materials. Their properties are governed by ionic aggregation and associative interactions, which influence chain mobility, phase behavior, self-assembly, interdiffusion, and flow response. This dissertation employs large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the structure, dynamics, phase behavior, interdiffusion, and extensional flow response of ion-containing and associative polymer systems under quiescent and nonequilibrium conditions.

The influence of molecular architecture is first examined by comparing ring and linear associative polymers using the Kremer–Grest bead-spring model. In linear chains, their closed-loop architecture reduces interchain …

Preparation And Performance Study Of In-Situ Self-Assembled Biphasic Smmn2O5-Nimn2O4 Composite Cathode, Neng-Chu Xia, Yu Zhou, Qin Wang, Jia-You Zhang, Chun Yu, Yang Zhang, Wan-Bing Guan, Jian-Xin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Mullite-structured oxides exhibit excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity, possess a low thermal expansion coefficient due to their unique crystal structure, and can eliminate the need for a barrier layer and simplify the preparation process as they contain no alkaline earth elements. Thus, they hold great promise as novel cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, a mullite-spinel-structured SmMn₂O₅-NiMn₂O₄ (SMO-NMO) composite cathode was one-step synthesized via a solid-liquid composite route, and its in-situ self-assembly enabled good compatibility with the electrolyte without any barrier layer. Characterization results showed that the SMO:NMO = …

In Situ Stm Visualization Of Molecular Structural Evolution During Electrochemical Oxidation Coupling Of Para-Aminothiophenol On Au(111), Zi-Wei Ma, Tai-Rui Wu, An-Ni Zheng, Lai-Ke Chen, Yuan-Hui Xiao, Zhao-Bin Chen, Qing-Na Zheng, Jian-Zhang Zhou, Jia-Wei Yan, De-Yin Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Para-aminothiophenol (PATP) is not only a widely-used probe molecule in the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), but also an important model molecule for interfacial reactions, exhibiting distinct photo- and electro-oxidation pathways, so that PATP is selectively activated under different external fields. The evolution of products and intermediates during electrochemical oxidative coupling remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated the dynamic electrochemical oxidation process of PATP on the Au(111) surface using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical (EC)-SERS, and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM). The results showed that PATP forms an unsaturated adsorption coverage on Au(111) in an acidic solution. …

Distinct Co2 Electroreduction Behaviors Over Planar And Non-Planar Cobalt Molecular Catalysts, Ru Jia, Cheng-Biao Zhu, Zi-Mo Zhang, Tuo Wang, Kai-Cong Yang, Guang-Zhe Wang, Yang Hu, Ting-Ting Zhang, Zhen-Wei Wei, Li Xiao, Gong-Wei Wang, Lin Zhuang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Molecular catalysts serve as ideal platforms for studying electrocatalytic reaction mechanisms. While current research mainly focuses on modulating central metals or surrounding ligands, the influence of molecular spatial configuration remains largely unexplored. Herein, we synthesized two cobalt complexes with similar ligand environments but distinct spatial geometries, a planar cobalt hexaazamacrocyclic complex (CoHAM) and a non-planar acyclic Co(phen)₂Cl₂, and evaluated their performance in CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). The planar CoHAM exhibited dramatically superior CO₂RR performance compared to the non-planar Co(phen)₂Cl₂. Through a series of combined analyses using in-situ …

Distribution And Transport Of Lithium Ions At Interfaces Between Graphite And Carboxymethyl Celluloses, Zi-Jun Huang, Zhen-Ying Zheng, Hua-Wei Cao, Jian Wang, Qing-Feng Zhang, Sheng-Li Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a water-processable binder widely used for graphite anodes. However, a microscopic understanding of why the identity of CMC counterions (Li⁺/Na⁺/K⁺) strongly affects electrode performance remains limited. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to track Li⁺ transport accessibility across electrolyte/CMC/graphite three-phase interfaces, comparing pure CMC-Li, CMC-Na, CMC-K, and mixed-counterion CMC binders. We find that CMC-Li sustains a continuous Li⁺ transport pathway from the electrolyte through the binder phase toward graphite. In contrast, in CMC-Na and CMC-K, Na⁺/K⁺ ions preferentially enrich at the graphite/binder interface, forming …

Tuning Ion Mobility And Molecular Confinement In High-Performance Polymer Electrolytes For Energy Storage, Ezzeldien Yousef Muhammed Yousef

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the critical energy density limitations of aqueous supercapacitors, which are traditionally constrained by the narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW) of water 1.23 V. By employing two distinct molecular engineering strategies, this study developed high-performance electrolyte systems that significantly extend voltage stability and thermal resilience.

The first system, CsBr@PAM/HA, utilizes a polyacrylamide and hyaluronic acid hydrogel matrix. This system exploits the chaotropic nature of Cs⁺ ions to disrupt the aqueous hydrogen-bonding network, enhancing ionic conductivity to 104 mS cm^-1. Through systematic salt screening, CsBr was identified as the optimal electrolyte, enabling a stable 2.0 V …

Computational-Experimental Synergy As A Predictive And Interpretive Tool Through Metal-Organic Framework Investigations, Cristian Sayers

Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In the search for tunable materials platforms capable of addressing both clean energy conversion and viable post-combustion carbon capture, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a uniquely versatile class of porous solids offering high specific surface area, structural tunability, and chemically addressable metal nodes and organic linkers. Realizing their potential requires understanding behavior that spans atomic-scale electronic structure and bulk-scale property response, a regime in which neither computation nor experiment alone is sufficient. This work attempts to develop a tighter integration between density functional theory (DFT) and laboratory investigation, treating the two modalities as mutually informing probes of the same …

Exploring The Effects Of Polymer-Graphene Interactions On Bulk Composite Properties Using Finite Element Analysis, Bryant Grove

Dissertations

As a filler in high performance materials, graphene significantly enhances the mechanical properties of polymer composites. Experimental characterization of graphene composite enhancements is limited by labor-intensive processes in both synthesizing composites for different purposes and in characterizing the interactions between graphene and polymer composites that lead to these enhancements. Computational approaches such as finite element analysis (FEA) are suitable alternatives that go beyond experimental analysis. This dissertation demonstrates the utility of FEA in analyzing polymer graphene composites with an emphasis on modeling the interaction between graphene fillers and the matrix within the interphase formed between them. The accessible design framework …

Deciphering The Role Of Binder Reaction Exothermicity In Thermal Runaway Of Lithium-Ion Cells, Wen Wen, Jing-Hong Zhou, Hao-Tian Lu, Xing-Gui Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Thermal safety associated with lithium-ion cells as power sources remains a critical industry concern. A comprehensive understanding of how internal exothermic side reactions contribute to temperature rise is fundamental for accurately analyzing thermal runaway processes and predicting the thermal safety of lithium-ion cells. While various side-reactions, such as decomposition of solid electrolyte interphase layer, reaction between anode materials and electrolyte, reaction between cathode materials and electrolyte, and electrolyte decomposition, have been identified as heat generation sources in previous studies, the quantification of these reactions remains insufficiently standardized. Particularly, the impact of heat generation from binder decomposition (most commonly polyvinylidene difluoride) …

Entropy Of Metal/Solution Interfaces: Thermodynamic Framework, Theoretical Models, And Roles Of Interfacial Water, Zeng-Ming Zhang, Zi-Xi Liang, Jun Huang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Entropy is a basic thermodynamic property of the electrical double layer (EDL) at metal/solution interfaces, yet, its definition, measurement, and theoretical treatment are dispersed in the literature, and, in some cases, ambiguous. In this paper, we revisit the thermodynamic theory of EDL, from which two variants of entropy, excess entropy and formation entropy, are obtained and compared. In terms of the formation entropy, two calculation routes are validated in the context of a primitive EDL model, namely, the Gouy-Chapman (GC) model. After clarifying the concepts and calculation routes, we investigate interfacial water effects on the EDL entropy, using a refined …

Extension Of The Local Vibrational Mode Theory To Periodic Systems, Filippo Bodo

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, vibrational spectroscopy was used to gain a deeper understanding of the electronic structure and the chemical bond in both molecular and periodic systems. In this framework, the Local Vibrational Mode Theory (LVMT), as first introduced by Konkoli and Cremer in 1998, provides a unique tool to quantify the strength of a chemical bond, and better interpret the molecular vibrational spectra, thanks to the adiabatic force constants ($k^a$) and the composition of normal modes (CNM). While LVMT was originally developed for molecular systems, its application to periodic solids has remained limited. This thesis presents a complete and systematic …

Intramolecular Nonbonding Interactions And Geared Phenyl Twisting In Para-Disubstituted 1,4-Diphenylazines: Electron Correlation Effects On Molecular Conformations And Enantiomerization, Kaidi Yang, Harmeet Bhoday, Rainer Glaser

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The results are reported of potential energy surface (PES) analyses of six symmetrical azines Y_p − Ph − RC=N − N=CR − Ph − Y_p, namely, the benzaldehyde azines 1H, 2H, and 8H with R = H and the acetophenone azines 1M, 2M, and 8M with R = Me. The Y substituents Cl (1), Br (2), and Me (8) were studied because sets of polymorphs I (C2-symmetry, azine twist τ ≈ 135 ± 10°, disrotatory phenyl twists ϕi ≠ 0°) and II (Ci-symmetry, τ = 180°, conrotatory ϕi ≠ 0°) were crystallized for these three azines. The …

Triphenylmethane-Derived Levelers For High-Speed Redistribution Layer Copper Electroplating Of Tailored Surface Morphologies, Zi-Hao Song, Wei-Bin Wang, Xiao-Hui Liu, Xiao-Min Han, Yi Zhou, Rui Huang, Yan-Xia Jiang, Zhe Li, Xiao-Wei Liu, Mei-Ling Xiao, Hong-Gang Liao, Wei-Lin Xu, Rong Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

Redistribution Layer (RDL), composed of layered dielectrics and electroplated copper materials, is a basic structure to rearrange numerous I/O pads on the chip surface in wafer-level advanced packaging. As the key chemicals in electrolyte baths, electroplating additives have undergone continuous development to meet the industrial needs for high-speed and fine-line/fine-pitch applications. Meanwhile, the intricate relationships between additive chemical structures and electroplated copper properties are yet to be well understood. In this work, a pair of triphenylmethane-based dye molecules, i.e., gentian violet (GV) and methyl green (MG), was comparatively investigated as levelers for high-speed RDL copper electroplating. Compared to GV, significantly …

A Computational Study Of The Chemomechanics Of Paracetamol Polymorphs: Towards Improving Drug Tabletability, Karim Nader Samra

Theses and Dissertations

The mechanical properties of pharmaceutical crystals are of great importance in tablet manufacturing. Also, knowing the mechanical properties of different polymorphs of the same crystal can reduce the overall production cost. In this study, computational work was done via performing density functional theory calculations on 3 paracetamol crystal polymorphs Form I, II, and III. Understanding the chemical bonding helps in predicting the key elastic properties for different crystallographic directions. In Form II, lattice vector C is dominated with the intermolecular hydrogen bond OH…O giving it the stiffest Young Modulus and the least Poisson’s ratio. Then comes the A-Axis which contains …

Probing Feni Alloys With Atomic Precision, Scipio Han, Kaushik Rajkumar Jayaprabha, Xin Qi

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters

We compared EAM and MEAM atomic potentials for modeling FeNi (tetrataenite), a rare 50/50 alloy found in meteorites. Picking 4 potentials, we calculated minimum lattice constants and order-disorder transition temperatures. MEAM potentials accurately predicted the experimental transition temperature, confirming that MEAM better captures FeNi's directional bonding.

Elucidating The Impacts Of Non-Covalent Interactions In Organic Materials Through A Multiscale Computational Approach, Sashen A. Ruhunage

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Noncovalent interactions (NCIs) in π-conjugated organic materials serve as tunable levers that influence molecular structure and intermolecular interactions in the condensed phase and, in turn, impact the electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of these materials. NCIs include attractive dispersion, electrostatic, and induction interactions, as well as repulsive exchange interactions. However, how to design materials with NCI considerations remains an open question across many fields. Here, we seek to provide an electronic and atomistic perspective on these interactions through multiscale simulations to aid materials design, processing, and performance optimization. In this study, we investigate NCIs and their effects across various systems …

Two Members Of The Editorial Board Of Journal Electrochemistry, Kai Wu Elected As An Academician Of The Chinese Academy Of Engineering And Yi Cui A Foreign Academician Of The Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Electrochemical Characterization And Modulation Of Biological Processes, Yue-Qi Li, Wei-Hua Huang, De-Chen Jiang, Bao-Hong Liu, Bin Su, Yang Tian, Jing-Juan Xu, Ping Yu, Feng Zhao, Huang-Xian Ju, Jing-Hong Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical processes lie at the core of biological function, governing energy transduction, metabolic flux, and molecular signaling. Recent advances in electrochemical science now allow these processes to be probed and controlled with unprecedented spatial, temporal, and chemical resolution. In this review, we present an integrated framework that progresses from fundamental mechanisms to analytical technologies and functional modulation. We begin by outlining electron transfer pathways in mitochondrial respiration, microbial extracellular electron transfer, and DNA- and protein-based charge conduction, followed by the principles of photon-electron conversion in photosynthesis and the central role of redox equilibrium in coordinating cellular responses. We then highlight …

Journal Of Electrochemistry Officially Indexed By Leading Oa Databases Oarl And Coaj, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Feature Column Of Journal Of Electrochemistry Nominated For 2025 Top 10 Famous Columns Of Fujian Provincial Newspapers And Periodicals, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Regulating Lithium Metal Nucleation And Growth For Dendrite Suppression: From Liquid-Electrolyte To Solid-State Batteries, Ao Du, Juan Zhang, Pan Xu, Ya-Jie Li, Kang-Yu Yi, Zhen-Zhen Shen, Hui-Lin Ge, Guang-Wen Zhang, Chao-Hui Zhang, Yu-Hao Wang, Chen-Zi Zhao, Meng-Yang Xu, Yu-Lin Jie, Rui Wen, Shu-Hong Jiao, Si-Qi Shi, Qiang Zhang, Chun-Peng Yang, Yu-Guo Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium metal anodes, with a theoretical capacity of up to 3860 mAh·g⁻¹, are regarded as the cornerstone for developing next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, several key challenges hinder their practical applications, including dendrite formation, unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), side reactions with electrolytes, and associated safety risks. This review systematically explores the mechanisms of lithium nucleation, growth, and stripping in both liquid and solid-state battery systems, analyzing critical theoretical concepts like heterogeneous nucleation thermodynamics, surface diffusion kinetics, space charge effects, and SEI-induced nucleation, which are crucial for understanding the genesis of dendrite growth. Additionally, the review discusses the electrochemical-mechanical …

Strategies For Obtaining High-Performance Li-Ion Solid-State Electrolytes For Solid-State Batteries, Yi-Cheng Deng, Zi-Chang You, Geng-Zhong Lin, Guo Tang, Jing-Hua Wu, Zhi-Min Zhou, Xiang-Chun Zhuang, Li-Xuan Yang, Zhen-Jie Zhang, Zhao-Yin Wen, Xia-Yin Yao, Chang-Hong Wang, Qian Zhou, Guang-Lei Cui, Ping He, Hui Li, Xin-Ping Ai

Journal of Electrochemistry

With the widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), safety concerns associated with flammable organic electrolytes have become increasingly critical. Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs), with enhanced safety and higher energy density potential, are regarded as a promising next-generation energy storage technology. However, the practical application of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) remains hindered by several challenges, including low Li⁺ ion conductivity, poor interfacial compatibility with electrodes, unfavorable mechanical properties and difficulties in scalable manufacturing. This review systematically examines recent progress in SSEs, including inorganic types (oxides, sulfides, halides), organic types (polymers, plastic crystals, poly(ionic liquids) (PILs)), and the emerging class of soft …

High-Voltage Solid-State Lithium Batteries: A Review Of Electrolyte Design, Interface Engineering, And Future Perspectives, Cheng Yang, Zi-Xin Liang, Ming-Yun Zhang, Ming-Zhe Chen, Kai Zhang, Li-Min Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Solid-state lithium batteries have become a research hotspot in the field of large-scale energy storage due to their excellent safety performance. The development of high-voltage positive electrode materials matched with lithium metal anode have advanced the energy density of solid-state lithium batteries close to or even exceeding that of lithium batteries based on a liquid electrolyte, which is expected to be commercialized in the future. However, in high voltage conditions (> 4.3 V), the decomposition of electrolyte components, structural degradation, and interface side reactions significantly reduce battery performance and hinder its further development. This review summarizes the latest research progress …

Development Trends And Priority Research Fields Of Electrochemical Discipline In The 15th Five Year Plan Period, Lin Zhuang, Wen-Bin Cai, Heng-Xing Ji, Qing Li, Gong-Wei Wang, Sen Xin, Qing Zhao, Fang-Yi Cheng, Yu-Guo Guo, Lan-Qun Mao, Yang Tian, Fei Wu, Li-Min Zhang, Yan Xiang, Jin-Song Hu, Rui Cao, Li Xiao, Hua-Bing Tao, Wei Xing, Dong-Ping Zhan, Hong-Gang Liao, Mei-Ling Xiao, Bin Ren, Zhang-Quan Peng, Rui Wen, Xiang Wang, Yue-Feng Song, Hou-Fu Lv, Bao-Yu Xia, Guo-Xiong Wang, Jun Cheng, Zhi-Pan Liu, Min Zhou, Bing Huang, Cun-Pu Li, Yu-Qin Zou, Shuang-Yin Wang, Hai-Bo Lin, Zi-Dong Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

In fulfillment of the national science-and-technology development agenda, the Department of Chemical Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) convened the Strategic Symposium on the Fifteenth Five-Year (2026–2030) Development Plan for Electrochemistry held in Xiamen on 29 August, 2025—the culminating year of the Fourteenth Five-Year (2021–2025) Development Plan. More than forty leading experts in the field of electrochemistry participated with spanning nine thematic fronts: Interfacial Electrocatalysis, Interfacial Electrochemistry for Energy Storage, Bioelectrochemistry, Electrochemistry of Hydrogen Energy, Electrochemical Micro-/Nano-Manufacturing, Operando Electrochemical Characterization, Electro-Thermal Coupling Catalysis, Theoretical and Computational Electrochemistry, and Electrochemical Synthesis. The forum assembled China’s foremost electrochemical …

Series Reports From Professor Wei’S Group Of Chongqing University: Advancements In Electrochemical Energy Conversions (2/4): Report 2: High-Performance Water Splitting Electrocatalysts, Ling Zhang, Wang-Yang Wu, Qiu-Yue Hu, Shi-Dan Yang, Li Li, Rui-Jin Liao, Zi-Dong Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

The unavailability of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts has impeded the large-scale deployment of alkaline water electrolyzers. Professor Zidong Wei’s group has focused on resolving critical challenges in industrial alkaline electrolysis, particularly elucidating hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) mechanisms while addressing the persistent activity-stability trade-off. This review summarizes their decade-long progress in developing advanced electrodes, analyzing the origins of sluggish alkaline HER kinetics and OER stability limitations. Professor Wei proposes a unifying “12345 Principle” as an optimization framework. For HER electrocatalysts, they have identified that metal/metal oxide interfaces create synergistic “chimney effect” and “local electric field enhancement effect”, enhancing selective …

Local Electric Fields Coupled With Cl− Fixation Strategy For Improving Seawater Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance, Yu-Rong Liu, Miao Zhang, Yan-Hui Yu, Ya-Lin Liu, Jing Li, Xiao-Dong Shi, Zhen-Ye Kang, Dao-Xiong Wu, Peng Rao, Ying Liang, Xin-Long Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

Development of robust electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a seawater electrolyte is the key to realize seawater electrolyte-based zinc-air batteries (SZABs). Herein, constructing a local electric field coupled with chloride ions (Cl⁻) fixation strategy in dual single-atom catalysts (DSACs) was proposed, and the resultant catalyst delivered considerable ORR performance in a seawater electrolyte, with a high half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.868 V and a good maximum power density (Pmax) of 182 mW·cm⁻² in the assembled SZABs, much higher than those of the Pt/C catalyst (E_1/2: 0.846 V; Pmax: 150 mW·cm^{−2 …}