Recent advances in catalyst design and activity enhancement induced by a magnetic field for electrocatalysis

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have extensively studied the intrinsic potential of electrocatalysts to improve their performance. An emerging field that has gained significant attention is the use of magnetic fields to enhance catalytic activity. This paper presents a review of the synthesis of catalysts by using magnetic fields, which includes the assistance in synthesizing one-dimensional and three-dimensional catalysts, the exposure of highly active specific crystalline surfaces, the modulation of the surface electronic structure through rapid temperature changes induced by magneto-thermal effects, and the modulation of electron spin states by dual magneto-thermal perturbations. The review then covers the enhancement of catalytic efficiency by using magnetic fields through magneto-fluidic effects, magneto-thermal effects, Gibbs free energy, and electron spin states during the catalytic process. The focus is on the magneto-thermal effect and the electron spin state regulation mechanism. Finally, the review presents the prospects and challenges of magnetic field-assisted synthesis of catalysts and enhanced catalytic processes, which may help in designing more efficient catalysts.