Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Experimental Column Setup for Studying Anaerobic Biogeochemical Interactions Between Iron OxyHydroxides, Trace Elements, and Bacteria
Published on: December 19, 2017
Operando X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Shows Iron Oxidation Is Concurrent with Oxygen Evolution in Cobalt-Iron
Lisa J Enman1, Michaela Burke Stevens1, Meir Haim Dahan2
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
Abstract:
Iron cations are essential for the high activity of nickel and cobalt-based (oxy)hydroxides for the oxygen evolution reaction, but the role of iron in the catalytic mechanism remains under active investigation. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations are used to demonstrate partial Fe oxidation and a shortening of the Fe-O bond length during oxygen evolution on Co(Fe)Ox Hy . Cobalt oxidation during oxygen evolution is only observed in the absence of iron. These results demonstrate a different mechanism for water oxidation in the presence and absence of iron and support the hypothesis that oxidized iron species are involved in water-oxidation catalysis on Co(Fe)Ox Hy .
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview
When irradiated by EMR of a particular wavelength, these...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence

