Multiscale Design of Array-Type Integrated Electrodes for Gas-Involving Electrocatalytic Reactions

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Oxygen evolution/hydrogen evolution/oxygen reduction reactions (OER/HER/ORR) are crucial for electrochemical energy conversion.
• These reactions suffer from sluggish kinetics and mass transfer limitations, especially at high current densities.
• Array-type integrated electrodes present a viable strategy to overcome these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review design strategies for array-type integrated electrodes.
• To provide insights into optimizing mass transfer for gas-involving electrocatalytic reactions.
• To offer design rules and future outlooks for advanced electrode architectures.

Main Methods:

• Review of macroscopic multidimensional structural designs (1D, 2D, 3D array units).
• Emphasis on microscopic chemical/interfacial structural designs (ionic regulation, vacancy design, phase conversion, interface engineering).
• Discussion of composite strategies integrating structural and chemical designs at various levels (surface, hierarchical, phase, atomic).

Main Results:

• Macroscopic designs offer structural advantages, while microscopic designs enhance intrinsic activity and interfacial properties.
• Composite strategies effectively combine structural and chemical modifications for synergistic effects.
• Systematic summarization of design principles for array-type electrodes tailored for gas-involving reactions.

Conclusions:

• Array-type integrated electrodes are key to improving efficiency in OER/HER/ORR.
• Multiscale design strategies, combining macroscopic and microscopic approaches, are essential for enhanced performance.
• Further research into mass transfer optimization is crucial for advancing sustainable electrochemical energy conversion.