Publication date: 15th December 2025
Accurate activity normalization remains a central challenge in electrocatalysis. Current densities are routinely reported per unit surface area. However, this requires a clear distinction between the real surface area (RSA) and the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). Furthermore, uncertainties in these area determinations propagate directly into the reported current densities, restricting fair comparisons of electrocatalytic activity across studies.
In this contribution, we examine the structure of real electrode surfaces and argue which surface regions should be counted as part of the RSA and which subset contributes to the ECSA. We provide measurement protocols to probe the electrode surface using double-layer capacitance and adsorption-limited faradaic reactions. We show that representative reference values per unit area are required to convert these measurements into quantitative surface areas. Depending on how they are applied, these reference values yield estimates of either RSA or ECSA. As the reference values are condition-dependent, we outline how to construct them to enable consistent and rational current normalization.
Finally, we outline best practices and protocols for current normalization that support rigorous comparison of emerging electrocatalytic transformations central to sustainable fuels and chemicals.
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