What Role Do Electron-Hole Interactions Play in Electrocatalysis?
In electrocatalysis, electron-hole interactions can influence the rate and selectivity of electrochemical reactions. These interactions can affect the electronic structure of the catalyst and modify the binding energies of intermediates on the catalyst surface. For instance, in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the efficiency of the catalyst is closely tied to the dynamics of electron-hole pairs. The presence of electron-hole pairs can alter the activation energy barriers and the reaction kinetics, thereby impacting the overall catalytic performance.
