Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
10:15
Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
914
Electrolyte Engineering towards Efficient Water Splitting at Mild pH.
Tatsuya Shinagawa1,2, Marcus Tze-Kiat Ng1, Kazuhiro Takanabe1
1King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Catalysis Center and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, 4700 KAUST, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Chemsuschem
|August 29, 2017
Summary
Electrolyte engineering is key for efficient water splitting. Optimizing electrolyte properties enhances the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and overall water electrolysis for sustainable fuel production.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical bottleneck in sustainable energy and chemical cycles.
- Efficient conversion of H2O and CO2 using renewable electricity is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of electrolyte molarity and type on OER performance.
- Explore strategies to overcome OER limitations in alkaline to neutral pH.
Main Methods:
- Studied OER at a current density of ~10 mA cm⁻².
- Analyzed reactant switching and mass transport effects in buffered solutions.
Main Results:
- Identified diffusion limitations of OH⁻ impacting reactant switching.
- Demonstrated significant contribution of buffered species mass transport.
- Showcased electrolyte engineering for enhanced OER and water electrolysis.
Conclusions:
- Electrolyte properties can be tuned to maximize mass-transport flux for improved OER.
- Electrolyte engineering offers a viable strategy for practical solar fuel production systems.
Related Concept Videos
03:00Electrolysis
30.8K
In a galvanic cell, the electrical work is done by a redox system on its surroundings as electrons produced by the spontaneous redox reactions are transferred through an external circuit. Alternatively, an external circuit does work on a redox system by imposing a voltage sufficient to drive an otherwise nonspontaneous reaction in a process known as electrolysis. For instance, recharging a battery involves the use of an external power source to drive the spontaneous (discharge) cell reaction in...
30.8K
02:21Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte Solutions
72.5K
Substances that undergo either a physical or a chemical change in solution to yield ions that can conduct electricity are called electrolytes. If a substance yields ions in solution, that is, if the compound undergoes 100% dissociation, then the substance is a strong electrolyte. Complete dissociation is indicated by a single forward arrow. For example, water-soluble ionic compounds like sodium chloride dissociate into sodium cations and chloride anions in aqueous solution.
72.5K
01:17Controlled-Potential Coulometry: Electrolytic Methods
767
Controlled-potential coulometry, also known as potentiostatic coulometry, employs a three-electrode system in which the working electrode's potential is precisely regulated using a potentiostat. Platinum working electrodes are utilized for positive potentials, while mercury pool electrodes are favored for extremely negative potentials. The platinum counter electrode is separated from the analyte using a membrane or salt bridge to avoid interference in the analysis.
The chosen potential...
The chosen potential...
767
01:16Solubility Equilibria: Ionic Product of Water
2.0K
Pure water is a weak electrolyte; only a small amount ionizes into hydrogen and hydroxide ions. At any given temperature, the concentration of undissociated water is almost constant, so the ionic product of water is the product of the hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentrations, denoted as Kw. The square root of Kw gives the individual ion concentrations.
The ionic product of water varies with temperature, and its value is 1.0 x 10−14 at standard experimental conditions. Per Le...
The ionic product of water varies with temperature, and its value is 1.0 x 10−14 at standard experimental conditions. Per Le...
2.0K
01:15Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes
1.9K
Membrane electrodes, also known as p-ion electrodes, use membranes that selectively interact with free analyte ions, generating a potential difference across the membrane. The resulting membrane potential, known as the asymmetry potential, is not zero even when analyte concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal. The membrane's response is typically not selective to a single analyte but proportional to the concentration of all ions in the sample solution capable of interacting at...
1.9K
03:02Standard Electrode Potentials
50.8K
On comparing the reactivity of silver and lead, it is observed that the two ionic species, Ag+ (aq) and Pb2+ (aq), show a difference in their redox reactivity towards copper: the silver ion undergoes spontaneous reduction, while the lead ion does not. This relative redox activity can be easily quantified in electrochemical cells by a property called cell potential. This property is commonly known as cell voltage in electrochemistry, and it is a measure of the energy which accompanies the charge...
50.8K