Quantum mechanics

Philosophy

Chemical physics

Statistics

Electrochemistry

Materials science

Volcano

Simple (philosophy)

Seismology

Geology

Electrocatalyst

Physical chemistry

Paleontology

Physics

Mathematics

Epistemology

Chemistry

Electrode

Electron

Plot (graphics)

Overpotential

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Volcano analyses have been established as a standard tool in the field of electrocatalysis for assessing the performance of electrodes in a class of materials. The apex of the volcano curve, where the most active electrocatalysts are situated, is commonly defined by a hypothetical ideal material that binds its reaction intermediates thermoneutrally at zero overpotential, in accordance with Sabatier's principle. However, recent studies report a right shift of the apex in a volcano curve, in which the most active electrocatalysts bind their reaction intermediates endergonically rather than thermoneutrally at zero overpotential. Focusing on two-electron process, this Viewpoint addresses the question of how the definition of an optimum catalyst needs to be modified with respect to the requirements of Sabatier's principle when kinetic effects and the applied overpotential are included in the analysis.

Does a Thermoneutral Electrocatalyst Correspond to the Apex of a Volcano Plot for a Simple Two‐Electron Process?