Synergistic Effects of Light and Magnetic Fields in Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Applications

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production; however, its efficiency remains constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics and high overpotentials. Recently, the integration of multiple external physical fields has emerged as a powerful strategy to enhance catalytic activity by tuning charge transfer, adsorption behavior, and reaction energetics. This review comprehensively summarizes the synergistic effects of light and magnetic fields in electrocatalytic water splitting, covering both fundamental mechanisms and recent advances. The light field promotes charge separation, local photothermal heating, and plasmon‐induced hot‐carrier generation, thereby accelerating the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Meanwhile, the magnetic field modulates spin polarization, induces magnetohydrodynamic convection, and triggers magnetothermal effects to facilitate mass transport and optimize reaction pathways. We further highlight dual‐field coupling strategies, in which light and magnetic fields collaboratively reconfigure the electronic structure, regulate intermediate adsorption states, and jointly lower reaction barriers, leading to nonlinear catalytic enhancement. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are discussed, emphasizing the integration of photonic, magnetic, and electronic effects in the rational design of next‐generation electrocatalytic systems for efficient and low‐carbon hydrogen production.

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Publication Details

Journal
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Published
2026-02-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202500602
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
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article

Synergistic Effects of Light and Magnetic Fields in Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Applications

Cui M, Zhuo Guo, Yuman Wang, Kaiwen Wang et al.
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
article

Synergistic Effects of Light and Magnetic Fields in Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Applications

Cui M, Zhuo Guo, Yuman Wang, Kaiwen Wang, Shisheng Yuan, Zhixiang Wang
article en

Abstract

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production; however, its efficiency remains constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics and high overpotentials. Recently, the integration of multiple external physical fields has emerged as a powerful strategy to enhance catalytic activity by tuning charge transfer, adsorption behavior, and reaction energetics. This review comprehensively summarizes the synergistic effects of light and magnetic fields in electrocatalytic water splitting, covering both fundamental mechanisms and recent advances. The light field promotes charge separation, local photothermal heating, and plasmon‐induced hot‐carrier generation, thereby accelerating the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Meanwhile, the magnetic field modulates spin polarization, induces magnetohydrodynamic convection, and triggers magnetothermal effects to facilitate mass transport and optimize reaction pathways. We further highlight dual‐field coupling strategies, in which light and magnetic fields collaboratively reconfigure the electronic structure, regulate intermediate adsorption states, and jointly lower reaction barriers, leading to nonlinear catalytic enhancement. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are discussed, emphasizing the integration of photonic, magnetic, and electronic effects in the rational design of next‐generation electrocatalytic systems for efficient and low‐carbon hydrogen production.

European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry
Jilin University (CN), Jilin Jianzhu University (CN), University of Petroleum (ID), Shenyang University of Chemical Technology (CN), Changchun University (CN)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 34%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
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Synergistic Effects of Light and Magnetic Fields in Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Applications — Cui M, Zhuo Guo, et al. · European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS