External field-assisted catalysis

In recent years, substantial effort has been dedicated to improving the intrinsic catalytic activity of catalysts through structural modification, component regulation, and chemical state optimization. However, complexity in the design and construction of catalysts, and the possibility of encountering performance ceilings, may constrain their widespread use. Currently, the introduction of in situ external fields, such as force, electric, magnetic, acoustic, light, and thermal fields, is an attractive approach to enhance the catalytic efficiency of catalysts. Such in situ physical fields feature continuity, reversibility, and controllability, and can exert external force or energy on catalysts, thereby affecting their microscopic structures and electron arrangements, accelerating their mass transfer and reaction kinetics. Mutual coupling and conversion among different external fields are also worth exploring. Various in situ external field effects work in multifaceted ways to promote catalysis in energy-environment systems by optimizing mass/energy transfer processes, modifying structures, and accelerating catalytic reaction kinetics, thereby significantly improving the catalytic properties of materials. This review summarizes and analyzes the latest developments in external field-assisted methods for boosting catalyst performance. The external field effect, related catalysis mechanism, and external field-enhanced catalysis are highlighted, and we discuss future challenges, countermeasures, and opportunities for external field-assisted catalysis and beyond. This review investigates the effect of external fields on catalysis for energy–environment systems and the catalytic mechanisms involved, including mass transfer, structural modification, and accelerated reaction kinetics, which profoundly influence the application of catalysts and the development of in situ field-enhanced catalysis. • The latest developments in external field-assisted methods for enhancing the performance of catalysts are systematically summarized. • External field effects, related catalysis mechanisms, and external field-enhanced catalysis are highlighted. • The major challenges for external field-assisted catalysis are analyzed, and countermeasures are proposed. • The significance and opportunities for external field-assisted catalysis and beyond are pointed out.