Electrocatalytic rate constants from DFT simulations and theoretical models: Learning from each other

Abstract

Electrochemical interfaces present an extraordinarily complex reaction environment, and several, often counter-acting, interactions contribute to rate constants of electrocatalytic reactions. We compile a short review on how electrode potential, solvent, electrolyte, and pH effects on electrocatalytic rates can be understood and modeled using computational and theoretical methods. We address the connections between computational models based on DFT and (semi)analytical model Hamiltonians to extract physical or chemical insights, identify some omissions in present DFT simulation approaches and analytic models, and discuss what and how simulations and models could learn from each other.