Electrostatic decatalysis through coulombic screening.

ABSTRACT: We demonstrate electrostatic decatalysis, where long-range coulombic interactions selectively screen parasitic chemistry, leading to distinct catalytic selectivity outcomes. By reconfiguring interfacial electrostatic landscapes, this approach achieves site- and flux-selective modulation of competing reactions while promoting ammonia electrosynthesis. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a nearly sevenfold enhancement in substrate enrichment factors, arising from optimized electrostatic screening and strategic charge distribution. Experimentally, we observe more than a twofold increase in ammonia's faradaic efficiency at practically relevant current densities, suggesting electrostatics contribute to reaction selectivity with energy savings exceeding 50% relative to conventional benchmarks.

SUBMITTER: Nayak B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862600 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature