Electrochemical energy systems made 40% more efficient would substantially advance the economic and environmental advantages of electrochemical electrochemical energy. Consider mechanisms of physical catalysis where a physical gradient rather than a chemical composition drives chemical change. Magnetoelectrocatalysis is an example of physical catalysis that may provide means to enhance the efficiency of electrochemical energy systems.
Magnetoelectrocatalysis exploits magnetic gradients imposed at electrode surfaces to facilitate electron transfer and so electrocatalysis.
Here, magnetoelectrocatalysis is shown to increase energy, power, and conversion efficiency of several electrochemical energy systems by 40%. Examples include:
- Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells
- Alkaline batteries (MnO2|Zn)
- Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at glassy carbon
- MnO2 supercapacitors
Magnetic gradient effects on electrochemical efficiency are also observed for several environmentally relevant electrode reactions.
- CO oxidation on Pt
- HER on various metal electrodes and photocathodes
- C1 reactions at rare earth electrocatalysts
From these outcomes, it is suggested that magnetoelectrochemical catalysis may provide a path to substantially more efficient electrochemical energy systems, perhaps approaching 40%.
Work is undertaken at the University of Iowa. The National Science Foundation (NSF CHE-1309366 and NSF CHE-0809745) and the Army Research Office (W911NF-19-1-0208 (74912-CH-II)) supported these projects.