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Magnetic-Field-Assisted CO2 Electroreduction at Precision-Engineered Ga-Gd Oxide Nanodomain Interfaces
Mohammad Karbalaei Akbari1,2, Kumar Shrestha1,2, Noor Aljammal3
1Department of Solid-State Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S1, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Precision Chemistry
|June 26, 2026
Summary
We developed a magnetically responsive catalyst using liquid-metal-derived gallium-gadolinium oxide nanodomains. This system enhances electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion by up to 50% when a magnetic field is applied, enabling precise control over chemical reactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Liquid-metal-derived catalysts offer unique, adaptive interfaces for precision chemistry.
- Developing catalysts with tunable properties is crucial for efficient CO2 conversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a magnetically responsive gallium-gadolinium (Ga-Gd) catalytic system for electrochemical CO2 conversion.
- To investigate the structural and electronic properties of the catalyst and its magnetic field sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Controlled thermal annealing of Ga-Gd composites.
- Characterization using atomic-resolution microscopy, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS/UPS, and NMR.
- Electrochemical CO2 reduction experiments with and without magnetic fields.
Main Results:
- Annealing formed defect-suppressed β-Ga2O3 with Gd2O3 nanodomains, creating localized magnetic interactions.
- The Ga-Gd catalyst showed magnetic modulation of CO2 conversion, increasing from ~10% to ~14-15% under a 200 mT field.
- Selective production of CO and CH3OH was observed, with magnetic enhancement linked to interfacial kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Ultrafine oxide nanodomains in liquid-metal catalysts enable magnetically tunable electrochemical reactivity.
- This approach advances controllable CO2 conversion through precision chemistry and reconfigurable interfacial motifs.
