03 April 2024 | Priscila Vensaus, Yunchang Liang, Jean-Philippe Ansermet, Galo J. A. A. Soler-Illia & Magali Lingenfelder
This study investigates the effects of magnetic fields on electrocatalytic reactions, focusing on how magnetic fields influence mass transport in electrochemical processes. The research uses a magneto-electrochemical system with nonmagnetic electrodes to quantify the impact of magnetic fields on reactions such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The findings show that magnetic fields can significantly enhance mass transport, particularly in diffusion-limited reactions like ORR, where the enhancement can exceed 50%. The study attributes this enhancement to the Lorentz force acting on ions in the electrolyte, which causes a whirling motion that facilitates mass transport.
The magnetic field's effect on gas bubbles is secondary, with the primary influence coming from the Lorentz force on ionic species. The study also demonstrates that the magnetic field can alter the movement of ions in the electrolyte, leading to changes in the distribution of species near the electrode surface. This effect is quantified using pH indicators and visual observations of bubble movement. The results show that the magnetic field enhances the diffusion of ions, particularly in reactions with low reactant availability, such as ORR.
The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between kinetic and mass transport effects in electrocatalysis. While magnetic fields can enhance mass transport, their impact on reaction kinetics is less significant. The research provides insights into the mechanisms underlying magnetic field effects on electrochemical reactions and suggests that these effects can be harnessed to improve the efficiency of electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, batteries, and electrolyzers. The findings contribute to the development of more sustainable energy conversion technologies by enhancing the performance of electrocatalytic reactions.This study investigates the effects of magnetic fields on electrocatalytic reactions, focusing on how magnetic fields influence mass transport in electrochemical processes. The research uses a magneto-electrochemical system with nonmagnetic electrodes to quantify the impact of magnetic fields on reactions such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The findings show that magnetic fields can significantly enhance mass transport, particularly in diffusion-limited reactions like ORR, where the enhancement can exceed 50%. The study attributes this enhancement to the Lorentz force acting on ions in the electrolyte, which causes a whirling motion that facilitates mass transport.
The magnetic field's effect on gas bubbles is secondary, with the primary influence coming from the Lorentz force on ionic species. The study also demonstrates that the magnetic field can alter the movement of ions in the electrolyte, leading to changes in the distribution of species near the electrode surface. This effect is quantified using pH indicators and visual observations of bubble movement. The results show that the magnetic field enhances the diffusion of ions, particularly in reactions with low reactant availability, such as ORR.
The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between kinetic and mass transport effects in electrocatalysis. While magnetic fields can enhance mass transport, their impact on reaction kinetics is less significant. The research provides insights into the mechanisms underlying magnetic field effects on electrochemical reactions and suggests that these effects can be harnessed to improve the efficiency of electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, batteries, and electrolyzers. The findings contribute to the development of more sustainable energy conversion technologies by enhancing the performance of electrocatalytic reactions.