Interactive model of the electrode–electrolyte junction

This interactive application explores how charge equilibration between an electrode and an electrolyte produces band bending in the solid and a potential drop across the liquid interface. It combines electrode properties—including doping and electron affinity—with an electrolyte-side electronic reference, φel, to calculate the resulting equilibrium alignment. 

The default φel value shown here is indicative: it is taken as the average of the redox potentials bounding water's electrochemical stability window (H⁺/H₂ and O₂/H₂O). The true value depends on the specific electrolyte — pH, supporting electrolyte, solvent — and can shift measurably from one system to another.

My research projects will test what determines φel under operating conditions, whether this description transfers between photoelectrodes, and whether the predicted alignment controls carrier delivery and reaction selectivity. The application illustrates the project’s starting hypothesis, not its assumed conclusion. The underlying model, equations and assumptions are described under Physics and methods in the application, and the code is available open source on GitHub.

How to cite this work (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23067400): If this interactive model or code helps you analyze your data or understand your interfaces, please cite the underlying research:

• For the theoretical framework & general model:
  Chemin, A. et al. The role of the Helmholtz potential on electrocatalytic activity. Nat. Commun. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70980-5  

• For applications to semiconductor/diamond electrodes & redox modulation:
  Chemin, A. et al. Modulating surface redox reactions and solvated electron emission on boron-doped diamond by (Photo)electrochemistry. PRX Energy (2025). https://doi.org/10.1103/zhcb-13pn