A perspective on magnetic field-enhanced electrocatalytic water splitting

Magnetic field effects have received widespread attention due to their ability to enhance the process of water splitting at multiple scales. However, a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the source of the magnetic effect and the magnetic modulation of magnetic catalysts is lacking. This perspective focuses on recent advancements in harnessing external magnetic field to improve electrocatalytic water splitting and suggests future directions. First, the mechanism of several magnetic effects and their effects on water splitting are elaborated in detail, including the magnetohydrodynamic effect, magnetothermal effect, spin polarization effect, and magnetoresistance effect. Then, the classification and construction strategies of magnetic effect catalysts are summarized, primarily divided into single metal/alloy catalysts, metal oxide-based catalysts, and other magnetic catalysts. Finally, the challenges and potential perspective of magnetic field-enhanced water splitting are discussed, including mechanism study, in situ characterization, and multi-field synergy effects.