Physchem.cz

We have shown that magnetic fields can be used to increase mass transport in electrochemical systems through magnetohydrodynamic effects (MHD). The Lorentz force acting upon ions moving in the solution generates fluidic convection that enhances mass transport and modifies the observed reactivity. The strength of this fluidic convection non-linearly increases by either: i) decreasing viscosity of the solution or ii) increasing the electrochemical current density. We demonstrated that magnetic fields parallel to the surface of the cathode can help increase mass transport and increase the selectivity for the reduction of CO₂ compared to the reduction of protons to hydrogen. Then we demonstrated that magnetic fields can be used to generate complex (i.e., oscillatory)  behavior during the electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol and modified the product distribution. This is attributed to periods of low mass transport during oxidation of glycerol to glycolic acid followed by periods of high mass transport where the glycolic acid moves to the bulk of the solution - preventing further oxidation.