Unlocking the power of ions toward enhanced electrocatalysis

Abstract

Electrocatalysis plays a vital role in advancing energy conversion and storage technologies. In addition to the prominent strategies of advanced electrocatalysts, the exploration of the ion effects on electrocatalytic processes constitutes an emerging topic. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in understanding the controversial mechanisms and addressing the universality of these ion effects. In this feature article, we summarize our recent advances in exploring the ion effects on electrocatalytic oxidation reactions, mainly involving three systems: (1) hierarchical borate and fluoride anions synergize neutral water oxidation; (2) cation-intermediate interactions steer the glycerol oxidation selectivity; (3) cation coordination delays catechol polymerization and promotes selective ring C–C cleavage. These findings not only enrich our understanding of the ion effects through specific non-covalent interactions but also shed light on the potential of finely-tuned electrode–electrolyte interfaces toward the improved electrocatalytic performance for various electrocatalytic applications. After the summary, we outline the current challenges and opportunities within the ionic effect studies and offer insights into prospective research directions.