Applying a small voltage to a catalyst can increase the rates of common reactions used in manufacturing, study finds

https://phys.org/news/2024-02-small-voltage-catalyst-common-reactions.html

"boost surface catalysis efficiency up to 100,000X, never before observed for reactions that don't involve oxidation or reduction, with few hundred millivolts input... these non-redox reacions catalyzed by acids...was well-known by electrochemical, but not thermochemical community... amount of energy needed used to be based on chemical binding energy of molecules to active sites on surface, but electrostatic environment is equally important"

Related: Stronger than nature: Optimized radicals as potential novel catalysts
https://phys.org/news/2024-03-stronger-nature-optimized-radicals-potential.html