Electrostatic decatalysis through coulombic screening

Abstract

We demonstrate electrostatic decatalysis, where long-range coulombic interactions selectively screen parasitic chemistry, leading to distinct catalytic selectivity outcomes. By reconfiguring interfacial electrostatic landscapes, this approach achieves site- and flux-selective modulation of competing reactions while promoting ammonia electrosynthesis. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a nearly sevenfold enhancement in substrate enrichment factors, arising from optimized electrostatic screening and strategic charge distribution. Experimentally, we observe more than a twofold increase in ammonia's faradaic efficiency at practically relevant current densities, suggesting electrostatics contribute to reaction selectivity with energy savings exceeding 50% relative to conventional benchmarks. Importantly, this approach based on activation of coulombic forces exhibits pH-insensitive universality, enabling broad applicability for electrochemical process modulations.