{"title":"Plastic waste upcycling through electrocatalysis","authors":"Yuan Ji, Chunxiao Liu, Tingting Zheng, Chuan Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The widespread use and chemical durability of plastics have contributed to the escalating issue of white pollution. Among various mitigation strategies, recycling waste plastics stands out as one of the most effective and sustainable solutions. Electrochemical methods, featuring mild operating conditions, tunable reaction selectivity, and low carbon emissions, have emerged as promising approaches for plastic recycling. This mini review offers a concise summary of recent advances in the electrocatalytic conversion of plastic waste. We highlight key strategies that involve the selective electrooxidation of monomers derived from plastic hydrolysis, the coupling of anodic and cathodic reactions to increase energy efficiency, and the incorporation of heteroatoms to expand the functionality of target products. We conclude by discussing emerging approaches for non-hydrolyzable plastics and the integration of electrocatalysis with complementary methods for broader applicability and scalable circular recycling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101712"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Detection and remediation of harmful algal blooms: Opportunities for electrochemists?","authors":"William S. Atkinson , Cleya Saju , Jake M. Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Larger and more frequent recurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming an urgent challenge globally with potentially deadly and economically devastating consequences. HAB monitoring and remediation is a multidisciplinary field which would benefit from inputs from electrochemists. Phytoplankton cells naturally contain various biomarkers such as species-specific DNAs, toxins, and chlorophyll pigments which can be strategically targeted via electrochemistry, either directly or indirectly, for sensing purposes. In this review, we discuss recent electrochemical advances that enable early HAB warning systems with the inclusion of AI to be developed as well as the separation of algae from water via electrocoagulation methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101711"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144296941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aruchamy Gowrisankar , Vishal Pandurang Bhandigare , Kyungsoon Park , Byung-Kwon Kim
{"title":"Single-entity electrochemistry: Unveiling nanoparticle behavior with advanced scanning probe electrochemical techniques","authors":"Aruchamy Gowrisankar , Vishal Pandurang Bhandigare , Kyungsoon Park , Byung-Kwon Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101710","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101710","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The advancement of sophisticated electroanalytical techniques has attracted significant interest in investigating the fundamental properties of individual nanoparticles. This review highlights recent developments in scanning probe microscopy (SPM), including scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), and electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM). These SPM techniques provide complementary insights into nanoparticle size, morphology, electronic structure, and surface reactivity. SECCM enables localized electrochemical analysis with high spatial resolution, while EC-STM and EC-AFM facilitate nanoscale imaging and the identification of active sites involved in electrocatalytic reactions. One of the most promising strategies involves integrating these techniques to establish structure–activity correlations at the single-nanoparticle level, thereby enhancing characterization capabilities. We demonstrate how hybrid characterization techniques can be employed to capture in situ information during complex electrochemical processes at the electrode–electrolyte interface. Specifically, we highlight the monitoring and measurement of local electrochemical processes using high-spatial-resolution imaging in correlation with single-entity electrochemistry techniques.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101710"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Yasir , Zhiliang Zhao , Hasuck Kim , Xinyi Zhang
{"title":"Recent progress and prospects in single-atom catalyst-based electrochemical synthesis of ammonia","authors":"Muhammad Yasir , Zhiliang Zhao , Hasuck Kim , Xinyi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101708","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101708","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Single-atom catalysts (SACs), with atomically distributed metal centers, high activity and maximized atom utilization efficiency, have attracted great attention in catalysis. Great efforts have been made on the development of new strategies for the synthesis of single-atom catalysts. In the design of SACs, substrates are materials that host the single atoms, providing a stable and accessible surface for catalytic reactions. The interaction between the single metal atoms and the substrate (carrier or support) is critical as it determines the stability and activity of the catalyst. Unraveling the substrate adsorption structure–performance relationship is pivotal for supported metal single-atom catalysts. On the other hand, the catalytic performance largely depends on the interaction among single atoms. In this review, we summarize in SACs-based electrochemical synthesis of ammonia. The reaction mechanism of these single-atom catalysts and their applications are discussed and assessed. Finally, the perspectives of SACs for future applications are previewed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101708"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Application of pulsed electrolysis in organic electrosynthesis” [Curr Opin Electrochem 44 (2024) 101441]","authors":"Alexander P. Atkins, Alastair J.J. Lennox","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101709","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101709"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of anions and additives in electrochemical CO2 reduction","authors":"Katharina Trapp, Jimun Yoo , Maria R. Lukatskaya","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrochemical reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> (eCO<sub>2</sub>R) is governed by complex interactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Recent studies show that electrolyte species in the electrical double layer can strongly affect the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction activity and selectivity. While the role of cations in eCO<sub>2</sub>R is relatively well understood, recent studies show that anions and molecular additives can be equally influential. Here, we discuss how these species can facilitate eCO<sub>2</sub>R intermediate stabilization and suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction, enhancing the activity and selectivity of eCO<sub>2</sub>R.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101707"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhanced stability of monolayers for quantum transport applications","authors":"Gyu Don Kong, Xin He, Peng He, Hyo Jae Yoon","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent advances in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have overcome longstanding stability challenges, unlocking new opportunities for molecular-scale devices in quantum transport applications. This review highlights key developments focused on enhancing the electrical and thermal robustness of SAMs. The Repeated Surface Exchange of Molecules (ReSEM) method significantly improves breakdown voltages by mixing two molecular species to reduce packing defects and nanoscale pinholes, enabling access to deeper molecular orbital energy levels. Additionally, N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) anchor groups deliver exceptional thermal stability, sustaining consistent thermoelectric performance at temperatures up to 573 K. These breakthroughs expand the functional versatility of SAM-based molecular junctions, paving the way for their integration into practical electronic, thermoelectric, and sensing technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101706"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144134566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victor Y. Yukuhiro , Alan J. Gibson , Elton Sitta , Angel Cuesta , Pablo S. Fernández
{"title":"Effect of cations on the electro-oxidation of alcohols and polyols on Pt: Activity, selectivity, and mechanistic insights","authors":"Victor Y. Yukuhiro , Alan J. Gibson , Elton Sitta , Angel Cuesta , Pablo S. Fernández","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the role of cations in the electro-oxidation of alcohols and polyols (EOAP) on Pt electrodes is essential for optimizing electrocatalytic processes in energy conversion and chemical production. This review explores how cations modulate activity, selectivity, and dynamic behavior during the EOAP. Larger cations, such as K<sup>+</sup>, enhance reaction rates and facilitate C–C bond cleavage, whereas smaller cations like Li<sup>+</sup> promote CO<sub>ad</sub> oxidation and the formation of inactive Pt oxides. The interplay between cations, adsorbed intermediates, and the electrode surface is analysed using complementary electrochemical and in situ spectroscopic techniques, covering hypotheses proposed to explain these observations. Despite progress, fundamental questions remain regarding the microscopic origins of cation effects, including the relative stabilities of key intermediates, how these stabilities influence their formation and oxidation, and ultimately how they govern the deactivation of Pt surfaces via the formation of inactive Pt oxides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101705"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144123309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Electrochemical analysis in micrometer and nanometer-sized droplets on a surface: From static toward dynamic","authors":"Liang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This mini-review discusses about the recent progress in electrochemical analysis of micrometer- and nanometer-sized droplets. The static droplet on a support is only briefly mentioned, with the focus placed on dynamic droplets that hit, land, and evolve on electrodes. The analysis of hitting droplets generally follows the norm of single-entity electrochemistry, which tracks collision events between the droplet and the electrodes. The landing droplet approach confines the electrochemical measurements in the area of droplet/sample contact. In general, we emphasize that the droplet is not a solid object; it may dynamically deform before, during, and after hitting or landing on the electrode surface, as governed by interfacial tensions. These tensions can be affected by the chemical reactions occurring at the droplet/electrode or droplet/environment interface, which is often underestimated. Thus, unifying the treatment of shape and composition changes considering conjugated physical and chemical effect would be highly desired in future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11028,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Electrochemistry","volume":"52 ","pages":"Article 101704"},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144123308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}