Electrostatic catalysis

A method of catalyzing a chemical reaction, the method comprising:

• contacting an electrolytic medium with an electrode;
• wherein:
• the chemical reaction takes place within the electrolytic medium;
• the electrode has an embedded charge, and the electrode comprises:
• a substrate;
• a first electronic charge trap defined at an interface of a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer;
• and
• a first conductive layer disposed on the first electronic charge trap;
• and
• optionally a third insulating layer disposed adjacent to the second insulating layer, thereby forming a second charge trap at the interface of the second and third insulating layers;
• the first conductive layer comprises a conductive material configured to permit an external electric field to penetrate the electrode from the first electronic charge trap;
• and
• the first insulating layer is not the same as the second insulating layer;
• and
• the third insulating layer is not the same as the second insulating layer.