Transient Potential Amplification in Dynamically Operated Electrochemical Systems

Transient Potential Amplification in Dynamically Operated Electrochemical Systems | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Physical Sciences - Article Transient Potential Amplification in Dynamically Operated Electrochemical Systems Xin Xiao, Huili Zeng, Zijian Wang, Chenglong Gao, Yeyin Li, Hongwei Liu, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9076047/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Electrochemical technologies underpin hundreds of billions of dollars in industrial value and are increasingly operated under dynamic voltage switching in systems ranging from flow batteries to continuous electrolyzers. Yet the true electrode energetics during such operation remain largely unresolved because absolute potentials are poorly understood in two-electrode devices. Here we resolve electrode potentials operando using a reference-assisted five-channel method and uncover an alternating-current-driven potential excursion (APEX), a transient amplification of electrode potential that can exceed the steady-state value by up to threefold and reach 4.2 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode. We show that APEX arises from spatiotemporal coupling between voltage switching, electrolyte flow and electric-double-layer dynamics, which transiently accesses otherwise inaccessible electrochemical reaction regimes. In a flow-through electrochemical reactor, this phenomenon enables rapid and sustained mineralization of diverse organic chemicals under mild operating voltages with long-term mineralization rate stability (>80%) exceeding 500 h. Our findings reveal a hidden energetic dimension in dynamically operated electrochemical systems and provide a framework for interpreting and designing voltage-switching electrochemical technologies. Physical sciences/Chemistry/Electrochemistry Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical engineering Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files Supportinginformation.pdf SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9076047","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Physical Sciences - Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":613406237,"identity":"5d6287ee-c207-4791-9246-fdb6a720cf59","order_by":0,"name":"Xin 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