UC Irvine

The successful commercialization of electrochemical energy-conversion systems hinges on a deeper understanding of electrocatalytic reaction kinetics. Despite extensive research, a key descriptor that characterizes electrolyte effects on reaction kinetics remains elusive. Here, surface charge in electrical double layers (EDLs) is introduced as a descriptor for electrolyte-dependent kinetics. The surface charge is calculated with a continuum EDL model parameterized by density-functional theory. The model is validated by reproducing the anomalously low slope of Pt­(111) in Parsons-Zobel plots. Strong correlations are observed between calculated surface charge and experimental kinetic currents for hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction, and CO2-reduction reactions across various pH levels and cationic species. These correlations can be either promotional or inhibitory, depending on solute-intermediate interactions. In acidic media, incorporating adsorbate charge captures specific adsorption effects in oxygen reduction reaction. These findings establish surface charge density as a key descriptor for electrolyte-dependent kinetics, which will guide the design of the electrode/electrolyte interface.