Superwetting behaviors at the interface between electrode and electrolyte

Abstract

Electrochemical reactions that take place at the interface between electrode and electrolyte involve charge transfer, mass transport, and phase transformation. Wetting or superwetting behaviors at multi-phase interfaces, including gas (bubbles), liquid (e.g., oil droplets), or solid (e.g., islands or film) states, largely interfere with the performance of related electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, industrial production, and environmental protection. In this review, recent progress is summarized on interfacial interactions and the consequent superwetting behaviors at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces, which determine the affinity to products and reagents, charge transfer resistance, coverage of active sites, and fading of electrodes at large overpotentials. Furthermore, the construction strategies of superwetting electrodes and the future opportunities and challenges in superwettability-mediated chemistry are proposed.