Recent advances in boosting interfacial bubble dynamics with external fields

Abstract

The efficiency of industrial electrocatalytic reactions depends not only on generating gaseous products but also on their detachment from the catalyst surface. Bubble adhesion at the solid-liquid interface blocks active sites, increases mass-transfer resistance, elevates overpotentials, and consumes extra energy, thereby slowing reactions and reducing economic viability. Conventional strategies, such as tailoring catalyst microstructures or optimizing reactor flow fields, control bubble behavior passively and lack adaptability to varying conditions. In contrast, external physical fields, including acoustic, magnetic, thermal, mechanical, and optical inputs, offer active regulation. They provide noncontact operation, rapid responsiveness, and low energy consumption. By modifying interfacial tension, inducing microflows, applying localized forces, or altering solution properties, these approaches lower the detachment barrier, enhance mass transport, and boost catalytic performance. This review summarizes advances in bubble management using external energy fields, emphasizing the underlying physicochemical coupling mechanisms. It compares the strengths and limitations of different fields and outlines future directions, including multi-field synergy and adaptive feedback control. Together, these insights provide a framework for designing efficient strategies for interfacial bubble regulation.

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