Electrochemical energy systems such as batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells are considered as promising and sustainable energy storage and conversion devices due to their high energy densities and zero or negative carbon dioxide emission. However, their widespread applications are hindered by many technical challenges, such as the low efficiency and poor long-term cyclability, which are mostly affected by the changes at the reactant/electrode/electrolyte interfaces. These interfacial processes involve ion/electron transfer, molecular/ion adsorption/desorption, and complex interface restructuring, which lead to irreversible modifications to the electrodes and the electrolyte. The understanding of these interfacial processes is thus crucial to provide strategies for solving those problems. In this review, we will discuss different interfacial processes at three representative interfaces, namely, solid–gas, solid–liquid, and solid–solid, in various electrochemical energy systems, and how they could influence the performance of electrochemical systems.
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Chemical sensing by interfacial voltage
"Developing methods for chemical sensing is of importance in broad ap plications, including food safety, healthcare, and ecology. The work herein describes an approach to chemical sensing by interfacial voltage. A test electrode is coated with a dielectric and a receptor. When the test electrode contacts an electrolyte, the receptor adsorbs an analyte from the electrolyte. The adsorption generates an interfacial voltage, a measurement of which reports the concentration of the an alyte. This design de-integrates two aspects of sensing: adsorption and detection. Consequently, the test electrode can be made of any elec tronic conductor. This flexibility enables sensors to be fabricated without microelectronic facilities. Several species of ions and organic molecules are detected, and a wearable chemical sensor worn on a fingertip is demonstrated. Needle-shaped electrodes are developed to test soft biological tissues. Chemical sensing by interfacial voltage holds promise for the development of ubiquitous sensing technology."
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- Award ID(s):
- 2011754
- PAR ID:
- 10500423
- Publisher / Repository:
- Cell Reports
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Cell Reports Physical Science
- Volume:
- 3
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2666-3864
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 101119
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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