Plasmonic-Magnetic Dual-Field Electrocatalysis: Synergistic Reaction Control via Light and Magnetic Fields

While Sun et al. (2024) review the independent effects of magnetic fields (spin polarization, magnetohydrodynamics) and Wang et al. (2024) highlight plasmonic enhancements (via hot carriers and local heating), no one has systematically explored their synergy. My proposal is to synthesize catalyst architectures (e.g., plasmonic metal nanoparticles on ferromagnetic supports) and develop in situ setups where light (visible/NIR) and magnetic fields are applied simultaneously. We’d use advanced spectroscopies and theoretical modeling to probe how these dual fields interact—can we tune spin states and hot-carrier lifetimes to favor certain reaction intermediates, or use Lorentz forces to direct ion flow at the nanoscale? This could open entirely new directions in reaction selectivity and efficiency, potentially enabling “on-demand” switching between products in energy-relevant electrocatalysis (CO2RR, OER, NRR).

References:

1. Magnetic field‐assisted electrocatalysis: Mechanisms and design strategies. Yongwen Sun, Hong Lv, Han Yao, Yuanfeng Gao, Cunman Zhang (2024). Carbon Energy.
2. Plasmonic‐assisted Electrocatalysis for CO2 Reduction Reaction. Xiu Wang, Yu Mao, Ziyun Wang (2024). ChemElectroChem.