Electrochemistry articles from across Nature Portfolio

A quantitative theory based on cation–solvent and anion–solvent affinity has been developed to elucidate the solvation microstructure of electrolytes. This unified framework can simultaneously predict electrolyte structure, transport properties, and interfacial behaviour. Thus, the framework provides a solvent-specific design platform for the development of high-performance electrolytes.

Electric vehicles rely on batteries that use elements like nickel and cobalt, usually sourced through mining, which raises ecological and ethical concerns. Now, a new cathode design replaces 35% of the nickel with abundant manganese, easing raw material demand without compromising energy density or lifetime.

Electrochemically induced pH swing can facilitate direct air capture at ambient temperature; however, the energy efficiency is compromised by the oxidation of the redox-active organic molecules. A hybrid flow cell that spatially isolates the oxygen-sensitive materials from air achieves stable CO₂ capture from oxygen-containing gas streams with low energy demand.

Zeolitic imidazolate (ZIF-67), a Co-based metal organic framework, is a promising candidate for Escherichia coli detection, but its application is hampered by poor electrical conductivity. Here, the authors present a Co/Mn-based ZIF-67 that leverages the synergistic action of two transition metals to enhance sensor sensitivity, demonstrating its potential for on-site pathogen monitoring.

Photoelectrocatalysis often relies on covalent electrode-reactant interactions. Here, the authors report that non-covalent interactions at Cu complexes/BiVO₄ interfaces enable rapid charge transfer, directly generating N-centered radicals from inert N−H bonds for scalable hydrazine synthesis.

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ in acidic conditions offers high utilization but is hindered by competing hydrogen evolution. Here, the authors demonstrate a nickel-based catalyst that regulates interfacial water, enabling efficient and durable CO₂ conversion to CO.

The relationship between interacting sites and catalytic mechanisms in single-atom catalysts remains unclear. Here a support engineering strategy is used to tune the binding strength between single-metal atoms and the support, optimizing active Cu sites and enhancing CH₄ formation.

Zhen Zhang describes how artificial intelligence algorithms, robotic laboratory equipment and automated characterization techniques can accelerate materials discovery for electrochemical reactions.

A quantitative theory based on cation–solvent and anion–solvent affinity has been developed to elucidate the solvation microstructure of electrolytes. This unified framework can simultaneously predict electrolyte structure, transport properties, and interfacial behaviour. Thus, the framework provides a solvent-specific design platform for the development of high-performance electrolytes.

Electric vehicles rely on batteries that use elements like nickel and cobalt, usually sourced through mining, which raises ecological and ethical concerns. Now, a new cathode design replaces 35% of the nickel with abundant manganese, easing raw material demand without compromising energy density or lifetime.

Electrochemically induced pH swing can facilitate direct air capture at ambient temperature; however, the energy efficiency is compromised by the oxidation of the redox-active organic molecules. A hybrid flow cell that spatially isolates the oxygen-sensitive materials from air achieves stable CO₂ capture from oxygen-containing gas streams with low energy demand.

The response of a well-defined Cu pre-catalyst surface to dynamic pulsed electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction conditions is unveiled using a correlated spatially resolved spectro-microscopy approach. The observed structural changes are key to understanding the increased selectivity towards ethanol and ethylene under these conditions.

Renewable-energy-powered electrochemical water splitting is a requisite for a sustainable energy future. Now, a facile approach is developed to produce scalable, low-cost metal–organic framework-based electrocatalysts for energy-efficient, durable alkaline water electrolysis.