Getting the Basics Right: Capacitance, Entropy and Stress of Electrified Solid/Liquid Interfaces

Technological breakthroughs in the energy transition hinge on finding earth‐abundant materials that can convert between electricity and chemical bond energy at a faster rate for a prolonged lifetime. This mission can only be accomplished with a fundamental understanding of the solid/liquid interfaces, also known as the electrical double layer (EDL), at which most important conversion processes occur. However, we are struggling with precise measurement and high‐fidelity modeling of basic thermodynamic quantities, notably the capacitance, entropy and surface stress, of EDL. It is thus imperative to bring together scientists with a wide range of expertise in experiments (single‐crystal preparation and characterization, electrochemical impedance, microcalorimetry, etc) and theory (continuum theory, molecular dynamics simulation, density functional theory, machine learning potentials) to discuss these specific topics in a level of depth greater than that in regular scientific meetings and conferences.

The main topics to be discussed include,

(1) Development of a general thermodynamic framework for the EDL at solid/liquid interfaces, with surface stress properly treated and its experimental validation.

(2) Major sources of errors in existing electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal measurements of capacitance, entropy and surface stress of the EDL.

(3) Origins of ultrahigh capacitance values and ultralow Parsons‐Zobel slopes reported on the EDL at several transition metals.

(4) Modelling and computation of above thermodynamic quantities of the EDL.

(5) Key factors of the formation entropy of the EDL and the relationship between the formation entropy of the EDL and the electrocatalytic activity.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.